Comments on Eric Nakamura: A good discussion on people, changes, and their wo...

As I read these comments, I can see how each and e...

2008-07-07T12:13:00.000-07:00

As I read these comments, I can see how each and every one of these scenarios play a part in this unfortunate problem. It's pretty daunting and it doesn't look like there is much hope. But I think people are just going to have to accept the fact that Little Tokyo, like all ethnic enclaves is going to continously evolve with the times.

One positive note was in the Sunday Los Angeles Times California Section 7/6/08. It talks about how the long sought after Mangrove site (1st and Alameda to the Nishinhongwanji) is going to be sold to a Japanese-American group and will be developed into a mixed use project including housing, office space, retail that will showcase Japan's fashionable modern face of anime, fashion and design. It is also supposed to represent what is defined by Nikkei, by including business owners from the Japanese-Mexican, Japanese- Brazillian and other Japanese Latino countries. This is a huge step forward compared to recent losses of the Little Tokyo, Shopping Center, The New Otani, Etc.

Its a bummer as a JA losing some of what you grew ...

2008-07-01T19:56:00.000-07:00

Its a bummer as a JA losing some of what you grew up in L.A. But now its what the JA community wanted back then. They wanted to be a part of the American life/community, it took a World War and some time. Now the JA community is now separated and doing their own thing. Japanese nationals don't see any JA things as being Japanese. Far as they are concerned we are Americans. Besides why do they need to come to live here, when the quality of living in Japan is now better. Public transportation, low crime, everyone minds their own business, no wars.... Oh well.

I agree with the previous comments about Japanese-...

2008-07-01T12:02:00.000-07:00

I agree with the previous comments about Japanese-Americans, and how they are moving to the suburbs and marrying outside of their race. But I don't believe that to be the primary reason why so many Japanese-American businesses are shutting down. I believe it to be the difference in profession between the first and second generation. The first generation is typically a blue collared working class, running a restaurant or store type of business, trying to put their children through school so they can be a doctor or lawyer. Then when their children succeed at becoming a doctor/lawyer their is no one to take over the store, and they end up in a situation where they might be forced to sell it off. The same situation seems to be occurring in Hawaii, with famous Asian mom and pop stores/restaurants just closing down. These are places that have become a staple of living and have great business, but end up closing anyways, because there is no one to take over the business. Its a sad situation, because these businesses are usually replaced by a fast food chain or an Asian-fusion restaurant, neither of which satisfy my craving for traditional Asian food. A similar question can be asked about Giant Robot; what is going to happen when Martin and You get too old to run the business anymore? Who will you put in charge or will you end up just shutting it down?