Comments on Eric Nakamura: From the comments on Little Tokyo - a rehash - new...

Not to be a smart ass or insensitive, but could on...

2008-06-30T16:25:00.000-07:00

Not to be a smart ass or insensitive, but could one reason be that 3rd, 4th, 5th generations of Japanese Americans are marrying outside their race. The Japanese-American identity may be disappearing or being diluted much in the same way Little Tokyo is. America has been a melting pot for decades so this not anything new. How many 4th or 5th generation 100% Irish or Polish Americans do you know?

I didn't know this was going on - thanks for the h...

2008-06-30T14:19:00.000-07:00

I didn't know this was going on - thanks for the heads up. It's great that you don't shy away from the controversial topics on your blog and I actually expected a little more noise on the comments. :-)

Trying to place blame among an ethnic enclave is j...

2008-06-30T12:12:00.000-07:00

Trying to place blame among an ethnic enclave is just plain arrogant and ignorant and smacks of elitistim. This outlook simply fails at basic business sense.

They should look around. Perhaps their drop in business relates directly to the drop in the Japanese American population.

From the 1990 to the 2000 census those identified themselves as Japanese dropped by 6%. That was the only Asian ethnic group to be in decline. This trend looks like it will continue as less Japanese immigration and more mixed-Japanese couples continue to grow.

Another factor may be that there are more 4th and 5th generation Americans of Japanese ethnicity that view themselves as fully acclimated into American society. This demographic may see little social need nor business sense to brand themselves within an ethnic enclave. Particularly within one that is literally dying off each day.

For comparison, in LA county you can look at the drop in the black population and black businesses compared to latino and asian populations and businesses.

There are 50% more asians in LA than blacks and that separation is growing. Along with that growth is competition for land/businesses.

This next census will also have a built-in real estate 'fraud-bubble' as well as soaring energy costs. In a sprawling city/county like LA how much premium was there and will there be for living closer to work? How much will this commute-cost further change ethnocentric enclaves?

How much of an effect will these gas prices have on housing/businesses near our rail system? J-Town will soon have its own gold-line extension. What new opportunies will follow?

It is also said, besides the greediness, there is ...

2008-06-29T13:05:00.000-07:00

It is also said, besides the greediness, there is a lack of trust between the Japanese-Americans. Supposedly it is a problem that stems for the internment camp experience. I hear a lot about Chinese and Korean business people who bring their money together and help new businesses out, but I don't hear about Japanese Americans doing that.

And then there is also the problem of the Japanese and Japanese-Americans not seeing eye to eye.
The Little Tokyo Business Association was started and run by Japanese Americans, but they never invite the new Japanese businesses to their meetings. So the Japanese businesses have their own organization. Who knows, maybe the Japanese businesses wouldn't go even if they were invited. But it is just another frustating factor, that I'm sure looks like it doesn't make sense from the outside.