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"Statewide J-Town Preservation Leaders Gather in SF"
Published in the Nichi Bei Times, June 15-21, 2006. Republished by the Rafu Shimpo and cited on the "Japantown" Wikipedia entry.
More than 100 individuals from across the state, concerned about the preservation of the nation's three remaining Japantowns, gathered for a day-long symposium at San Francisco's Miyako Hotel on June 9 to discuss their work, brainstorm and to learn from those with similar goals.
"Our goal is no easy goal," reminded symposium chairperson Paul Osaki. "The reward of our work today is no different than that of the Issei who first built our communities. That after we're gone there will still stand a Japantown."
Sale of San Francisco Properties
The day kicked off with an update about the state's Japantowns, beginning with the sales of buildings representing about 75 percent of San Francisco Japantown's income — the Radisson Miyako and Best Western Miyako hotels, Kintetsu and Miyako shopping malls, the AMC Kabuki Theatre and the Hokubei Mainichi building.
Southern California-based 3D Investments, which purchased the hotels and malls, have signed city covenants meant to protect the culture of the area, which Japantown Task Force Board President Sandy Mori said is unusual for developers to do.
Sundance Cinemas, which purchased the AMC theatre building, appear to be a "good neighbor" and their plan to show independent films will "probably be good for Japantown," said Realtor Allen Okamoto,
Japanese company Viz Media's plans to demolish the Hokubei Mainichi building and establish the "J-Pop Center" "has been endorsed by virtually every community organization," said Okamoto.
Although "the community is still fearful of the unknown," expressed Okamoto, "things look bright."
The Gentrification of San Jose Japantown's
"The manju-ya, tofu-ya, Shiseido don't have next-gens waiting to replace them," said Jerry Hiura, Japantown Community Congress of San Jose (JCCsj) board president, discussing the area's "gentrification issue."
However, a massive redevelopment affecting potentially 7.6 acres is in the works. The majority of the land is on the San Jose City Corporation Yard site, constituting 5.8 acres, for which Olson Urban Housing has been selected for the development. Additionally, 1.3 acres of the Boys and Girls Club property and a half-acre of land in the parking lot across from the Corporation Yard will be affected.
In San Jose, it is an issue of a change in community, noted Hiura, recalling that a decade ago, there were only one and-a-half rings at the obon festival. Recently the number has expanded to about five or six rings, he said, due to an expanding pan-Asian population.
Little Tokyo
In Los Angeles, the adjacent civic center expansion is "taking up most of what used to be Little Tokyo," said Bill Watanabe, executive director of the Little Tokyo Service Center, who added that high costs make it "impossible" for J-Town entities to get any opportunities. Less available parking and the increasing presence of large chain companies, such as Office Depot and Starbucks, are also worrisome.
Those kinds of businesses do not represent Japanese culture, said Watanabe. Although conceding that Starbucks now exists in Japan, "in Japan, Starbucks is not killing their culture."
Another issue is that of striking a balance between economic development and the comfort of area residents. Chris Aihara of the Little Tokyo Community Council cited a proposed nightclub that did not become a reality due to area resident concerns about noise and other potential problems.