Asia-Pacific

Japan's Yokohama revives former red-light district with art

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-08-02 10:19

TOKYO -From the days following World War II, the Koganecho area in Yokohama, Japan's second largest city with a population of 3.66 million, was infamous for prostitution and drugs. But now, it becomes to be known for art and fashion.

File photo shows pedestrians use the escalator at an overhead bridge in Yokohama, south of Tokyo April 7, 2010. [Agencies]

"At it peak, the Koganecho area used to be home to some 250 small brothels. Many people are afraid of coming to this area alone at nights," said Shingo Yamano, director of NPO Koganecho Area Management Center.

All the changes started after a thorough clamp down by the government in 2005, followed by continued tenacious efforts to clean up and revitalize the area by police, social workers, and most notably, artists.

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While the illegal businesses have vanished, many of the area's old shops remain vacant or closed up. The government rented out the spaces and converted them into buildings that can function as artist studios, shops, cafes and so on.

In September, 2008, a first-ever art bazaar was held in the area, attracting young artists and declaring a departure from the area's past. The next year, NPO Koganecho Area Management Center was launched, acting as a bridge connecting the residents, police, government, businesses, universities and artists, all of whom working towards the common goal of revitalizing the area.

"Art is the magic spell that the government used to give the area a total face-lift, and it works very well," said Yamano.

Novelist Taiju Agawa is one of the artist who moved into Kogane Studio, a space converted from the deserted space of railway bridge into a live music house and several art studios.

"I like the sound of the trains passing overhead. They are similar to the sound of the ocean waves, not interrupting to me at all," said Agawa.

"I have been watching the changes of the area for the past 10 years and am happy to see what it is now. Perhaps this will give me an inspiration for writing," he added.

Many artists, like Agawa, said the environment became good the art atmosphere here is what they have been seeking for years in Yokohama to live and work.

"If we can have artists gather here and, in due time, achieve normal economic activity in the area, then the prostitution, drugs and violence will not return," said Yamano.

The whole area will need another 10 years to be fully renovated and occupied. By that time, gone is Koganecho's past and reborn is a new art center in Japan.

Yokohama, the host city of 2010 APEC summits, envisions itself to be a creative city of art and culture in the 21st century.