saito worked at a gas company but left two years ago after continuing continual harassment and being forced to do unpaid overtime. since then, low wage work has been his only option. >> translator: i bought this on sale. it will last longer if i put it in the freezer. i'm getting better at saving money. >> reporter: saito is looking for other work, but so far has found nothing. >> translator: it has finally hit . i'm really wondering how i'm going to survive. >> reporter: another worker trying to stay afloat. he is directly contracted to various companies to create and manage their websites. but by the end of march,h, two d terminated their contracts erasing a third of his income. >> t translator: i'm having didifficulty sleeping wononderi whether i should give up and look for a new job. >> reporter: the government's emergency response also covers freelancers, but the maximum amount of support they get is just over $40 a day. much less than the amount company workers are guaranteed. the government says freelancers are paid less because the conditions under which they work vary widely