Future LA's Little Tokyo unclear as businesses try to stay afloat

As LA’s Little Tokyo neighborhood celebrates its 140th year, there are concerns that it may not survive another 140. NBC Los Angeles' Gordon Tokumatsu reports.

[@Thatguyinthe452]

Same thing is happening on Olvera Street. The city LOVES to talk up these places, throwing in buzzwords like “historic,” “cultural,” “diversity,” giving out recognition awards, and encouraging others to “Go Metro” to take you there) but then they disappear and won’t lift a finger to actually help these businesses out. Instead, they make it harder on these legacy businesses to adhere to new, overreaching regulations (when they should be grandfathered it at this point).

[@sor3999]

Same with China Town.

[@dostoveskiee]

It's not "overreaching regulation" ..they literally said the reason was higher rent & property prices that were forcing family businesses and residents out. Did you not watch the video?

[@AbsentMinded619]

@dostoveskiee We live in these communities. We know that it’s regulation that drives up commercial rent. The cities also demand new taxes and fees from landowners related to homeless housing and cleanup, but they fail to actually do anything about the homeless or the mess.

[@carolyn888]

It baffles me that ppl refuse to see the connection between high rents in general and ppl not being able to afford to live in homes and thus becoming homeless. A lot of tone deaf ppl refusing to look at the causes and instead blame the victims. Cost of living has increased, but not pay, and ppl aren't able to spend as much eating out. These businesses need assistance as well as our middle and lower class.

[@helloitsmehb]

@@carolyn888 baffles me that people forgot we shut down the world economy and forced everyone to stay indoors, wear masks and get an unregulated vaccine…… Then scratch their heads wondering why crime, inflation and homelessness has risen. It’s a clown show 🤡

[@gofar12345]

Just a step outside of Little Tokyo is the largest homeless encampment in America. Be aware and be safe.

[@mrxman581]

Skid Row is at least 4-5 city blocks to the southwest. Not that close. Little Tokyo is safe.

[@CryingOrc1]

@@mrxman581 Do you understand people who don't know well may drive along Skid Row to get in and out of Little Tokyo?

[@marsrecordings]

It’s legit surrounded by the worst part of town. Art district is an anomaly in itself.

[@carolaguilera6911]

Yea that area is a dump . Especially alvera street

[@carolaguilera6911]

@@mrxman581 you don’t get it . That area is a dump

[@angelpayne8346]

We MUST preserve Little Tokyo. It's such a special place.

[@PoombaiNews]

its dead

[@TB-vb1st]

I agree, but it seems like a lost cause. If this was happening to other ethnic communities like Chinatown there would be more outrage and protests.

[@explore.chill.frankie]

It's sad that all these Asian and other ethnic towns in LA are being erased and gentrified. I don't want overpriced hipster coffee shops and dispensaries in every street corner.

[@sadiemellow]

​@@explore.chill.frankieyep.

[@Hello_SM]

The lack of bathrooms is the worst part about little tokyo imo

[@KOSAMAGAMES]

It’s not like there isn’t a reason why lol I love LACITY proves it’s incompetence each year. Since the water wars the city has been to big to manage. Even if change is done it could take months (if it even gets through) because of bureaucratic push back between the city councils. For example what interest does Arleta have in improving this area? Doubt most visit there throughout the year. Easy way to lose a vote. Why would San Pedro vote in programs to help the Valley? Doubt most know it even exists. Meanwhile neighboring cities go along doing what they can because autonomy and smaller compared to LACITY. Just admit it, it’s time to break up LACITY! 0-0

[@factchecker6674]

They have bathrooms, you just have to spend $30 for a bowl of ramen.

[@shaggydawg5419]

restrooms are right there on the streets, sir/madam. I can smell urine everywhere.

[@factchecker6674]

@@shaggydawg5419 It’s more on the walls and the posts then streets but I know what you mean. I’m putting together a portfolio of pictures of public urination.

[@IsaiahHollins]

The homelessness and parking ruins visiting little Tokyo sometimes.

[@rawhide154]

Exactly

[@Youngjin661]

Parking extremely expensive

[@ICgay4]

You're hot Isaiah but agreed

[@mikeohawk95]

Rising rent is killing us not the mass recent crimes, it’s the real estates fault, and I too visit this place every now and then

[@chookchack]

@@mikeohawk95 yeah, when cars get broken into on a daily basis, thats not deterring people from doing business there.

[@_f_i_a_]

Why is $2000 the baseline rent? Many areas in LA are RUN DOWN and overcome with crime and most STOREFRONTS “FOR LEASE”

[@KamalasNotLikeUs]

You can live in an apartment for $2k plus or in a tent for less than $2k. Make the choice.

[@tofuyam7361]

Because many crappier places in the US with terrible weather , boring suburbs, no city few, no culture is pushing 1500+ for baseline rent

[@robertruffo2134]

Because L.A. reality isn't anything like what Fox has been telling you.

[@Moodboard39]

@@KamalasNotLikeUs why they dont invest affordable housing like nyc? only nyc has it, pay by 30 percent income , free water, light, gas,, many rooms..... lowest is $200 hhahahah

[@saikyomogresurrect]

This sudden price uptick in LA strangely and subtley happened starting in 2012. First the San Fernando Valley (specifically North Hollywood then gradually westward to Van Nuys, Panorama City etc). Once landlords realized Hipsters/ and foreigners alike started moving into town in droves, the rent began rising: 10%, 15%, 25%. Btw, these markup tactics came from San Francisco just so you know. Anywsy, after Don the Con Trump moved into the White House in 2017, rent in LA virtually became the same as San Francisco. Literally Jumped up 350%. Unheard of!!! And despite COVID causing a minor exodus, These stingy Property owners are continuously Price Gouging a market that isn't even in demand. If they keep this up, Then interest rates will Never come down. I hate the Fed Reserve, but for once.. Jerome Powell is doing what's necessary because he knows it's not just ByeDumb or Drumpfs fault, nor exclusively big corporations; today It is from the bottom sector, Civilian Greed. Lack of math, lack of morality. Copycat Sheeps who raise prices because their alibi is inflation and supply & demand, when they have no idea how it actually works. Many businesses don't even have logistics issues and supply is ample, but will lie about it just so they can milk the cash cow Forever.. Jerome Powell won't say it but this is exactly Why interest rates will not come down. When a recession occurs (we're in it right now), Prices are supposed to go down- including rent, food, and energy... But it's artificially not thanks to uneducated greedy selfish morons who have no idea how economics work. Good luck fools, Interest rates will not come down... Not only that, You'll not be able to leave the country with the loot (if that's your filthy plan all along).

[@noel6058]

It's a nice area in a city that is troubled with all it's issues.

[@mikeohawk95]

2:27 we also need to revise all lost J town in Cali and America starting with San Francisco and la

[@mikeohawk95]

2:26 even places like this in us and internationally where japanease growing their population outside of Japan faster then despite japanease popaultion chrisis

[@biscuit4christ]

Little Tokyo must be protected. I spent a great amount of my childhood here. Unfortunately, gentrification is pushing out those long time small businesses.

[@luigivincenz3843]

you mean homeless ness and crime Stop the pc stuff like "gentrification".

[@susanBaca107]

I was born in L.A. I had to leave 18; years ago because of the economy I could just imagine how it is now. My favorite places to eat was in little Tokyo the food is fantastic. I hope and pray that everything goes well for the people who live and work there.

[@TheMandellaEffectbruh]

18 years ago you wold never make it today bruh

[@mrxman581]

The LA Metro Regional Connector subway that opened in June 2023 has brought a lot more people to Little Tokyo with the new Little Tokyo station. It's right across the street from the Japanese museum. It's in a great location.

[@helloitsmehb]

It was great until 2020. Pandemic ruined everything

[@TheL1arL1ar]

@@TheMandellaEffectbruh18 years ago I lived in Stockton right after the Bay Area and it was ghetto as fuck…I love my smaller whiter town and I’m Hispanic, 18 years ago I was 22 😂

[@Moodboard39]

@@TheL1arL1ar rather have asian than black hahhha

[@hellacia8151]

>goes to little tokyo >sees more hispanics than japanese

[@Icarus975]

Where do all the Japanese Americans even live at anyway?

[@thatoneantoid51]

​@@Icarus975 there's some apartments to I wanna say the left of the metro station. There's some older ones across from the newer apartments where I'm positive most of the local Lil Tokyo residents live.

[@rafg891]

Goes to Los Angeles and expects to see more japs than Mexicans who are Native American who lived in all of the American continent and Spanish who were the first europeans to arrive in what is Los Angeles and named it as, you want to see japs go to Japan.

[@zenhideyoshi4192]

😅😅 Did they fix the public restrooms 🚻

[@Darksassy]

DOWNTOWN LA is going down hill ... I visited last month and was greeted with cracked out homeless people

[@Bojax-y3z]

Same as it ever was.

[@TheOtherKine]

It's WAY better than it was in the 90s and early 00's, it's been gentrified so much since then, half of Spring Street and Broadway buildings were EMPTY, and all those apartments and condos south of 8th towards the arena did not exist!

[@Joser167]

DTLA was never great to begin with.

[@humzahj.]

@@Joser167Simply untrue

[@Joser167]

@humzahj. Please educate me who has lived in the area for three decades.

[@jamesmir89]

Homelessness and crime aren’t an issue?

[@marciayoung8735]

Save little Tokyo it's been there since I was a child, play the best food in town

[@diggingmystyle]

It was never the best food in town but it has lost its luster since much better Japanese restaurants opened up elsewhere.

[@jordanjohnson9866]

Nah. Not since I was a child. Not “since I was a child.” /

[@M4tTh3w909]

Save it yourself. We all have to face change in our life and move on.

[@bigfootwalker5399]

Since you were a child 🤣 more like 140 years

[@jameshall915]

it;s been there since everybody was a child.....unless your 170 years old.

[@kwaitefuni9152]

1:42 cool mural of Ohtani in the background!

[@peterlegend]

Same thing that happened to Chinatown, Los Angeles.

[@mrmexicano64]

Or how about holding landlords and real state owners accountable for the artificial inflation they have created

[@AbsentMinded619]

That’s not what inflation is. Inflation is only caused by adding too much currency to the money supply. In 2021 we added trillions more digitally, on top of what was added due to the pandemic stimulus. Or do you think that corporations stop being greedy when inflation is low, and then get greedy again when it goes up?

[@d_all_in]

Delusional to think millions of landlords are conspiring to raise prices rather than being caused by supply and demand

[@cliftonwaldrep4238]

I use to go to Little Tokyo every chance I got growing up in Los Angeles. There are many great restaurants, bakeries, and things to do & see. But I had to move out of California, prices on everything went sky-high, and with the high crime, high taxes, high rents, freeways that go nowhere. I remember, we use to call them parking lots. Because there's too many cars in California and your going no where come rush hour. It's not the California I remember growing up... 😞

[@MaximoToro]

Corporations are salivating over that land, fantasizing about bulldozing everything to put up 5 new Starbucks and a Walmart

[@HardPass]

There were two Starbucks nearby. They both closed because of homeless issues.

[@gingeralice3858]

LA won't allow Walmarts in downtown. Or anywhere near it. Or anywhere in West LA. Only Targets get built.

[@MaximoToro]

@@gingeralice3858 ok, a Target then...

[@Paul_Sleeping]

@@gingeralice3858 that’s so awesome. I had no idea. Walmart is a blight to communities everywhere.

[@cslworldwide]

Target*

[@Mansikkacake]

I've been in LA for over 20 years and Nijiya, Marukai, Mitsuwa on westside is closer for me so barely go there. I love some of the little Tokyo stores but the parking is always the biggest hesitation. Almost impossible to find a street parking. I usually shop at Marukai and park there w validation. They used to have Mitsuwa at that building I was going there more often. Kouraku's tenshin fried rice is the best. Hope they will find a way to survive but need more parking structures.

[@mrxman581]

Take the Metro. If you're on the Westside drive to the closest E Line station that has a parking lot and take the E line to the Little Tokyo station. It's a one seat ride now ever since the Regional Connector opened. I do the same thing, but from East LA. It's very convenient. You could use the opportunity to check out the other two new Regional Connector stations at Historic Broadway and Bunker Hill/Grand Ave.

[@luishetzler9429]

​@@mrxman581 Don't take the metro

[@serialkilla23]

its all korean owned biz now in little tokyo...japanese ppl stop coming over to usa.

[@TenTenorioArt]

I haven't visited in a while but I was always happy to see the ceramics shop on the first floor, and I hope they're still there. Probably been there longer than 20 years, maybe closer to 30 years.

[@MattLashbrook]

Just take the metro... Little tokyo needs less street parking and demolishment of parking garages.

[@htvlogs80]

Just a block over is skid row, could understand why it's trying to stay alive. Should just relocate to another city where it's cleaner & less homeless.

[@tofuyam7361]

Did you not watch the vid? Its dying because investors are pricing out the japanese/korean/chinese that once lived in the area.

[@tofuyam7361]

@user-bn8jv8bv1v I know you only watch Fox News 😂

[@tofuyam7361]

@user-bn8jv8bv1v The homeless has been there for 20+ years! There are lofts selling for 500k inside skid row lol

[@AbsentMinded619]

@tofuyam7361 Everyone who lives in CA and tries to run a business knows that it’s the government that’s the problem.

[@justplainizzy]

You can’t just relocate a cultural spot like Little Tokyo. The whole point of the video is that they don’t want to do that like did you not watch ????

[@Sayphonik]

That’s because they are charging 2k+ for a micro apt in little Tokyo, just blocks away from the largest homeless encampments in America

[@michaellaw5876]

They should relocate to Torrance or San Gabriel. Don't putt up with incompetent politicians who don't appreciate your contributions to the economy. Even K-Town is going downhill with all the smash and grabs and tents and crime

[@f430ferrari5]

Notice it’s a different demographic messing everything up.

[@ciello___8307]

Both communities in Torrance and dtla co exist. And this is not a political problem. This is a problem with greedy landlords and high rent- which is still a problem in Torrance/San Gabriel

[@Bojax-y3z]

​@@ciello___8307stop voting left, problem solved.

[@KamalasNotLikeUs]

You really don't know about Gardena? Well, that's closing down, too. This is about older people dying and younger ones assimilating.

[@InsaneStryker777]

I moved out of Central LA back to the SGV and I don’t go back often. If I crave Japanese food I usually drive to Torrance so I can enjoy the beach rather than homeless people. Had 2 very crazy encounters with homeless in Little Tokyo.

[@tacotequill32]

Chain restaurants charge $14 for a 2 piece chicken meal that barely qualifies as a "meal". I can't begin to imagine how much its for rent on a studio apartment...

[@MiteshDamania]

Isn't it crazy how much they charge for chicken pieces?

[@MarketUnderground]

Food prices are INSANE

[@親日家]

Save the Enclave! Spend your money in Little Tokyo! Go to museum walk the strip buy from little book stores and eat at coffee shops and restaurants you never tried before spread the wealth around the neighborhood. Demand protection the US Gov destabilized the neighborhood when they put its citizens in Concentration camps LA gov should give special protection status to linage owned shops restaurants and housings.

[@strawberrycloud2807]

I love visiting Little Tokyo. I hope we can keep supporting it! ❤ I love Gordon Tokumatsu’s reporting, too. He does so much important work!

[@dunnbrandon]

For me, when the shabu shabu house, which I’ve gone to for decades, closed down as owner retired, I haven’t been to little tokyo since and frankly not sure when will visit again

[@shaggydawg5419]

are they closed for good or under new management now? I haven't been there for a while.

[@dunnbrandon]

Originally they were closing down, I spoke to owner before he did, but had a friend that recently stopped by and looks like it will be under new management now with remodeling going now, so gonna check in couple of months myself

[@83delgado]

Didn't most vote for the leaders

[@KamalasNotLikeUs]

What does that have to do with anything? Skid Row has been there for almost 100 years.

[@DarktoneX]

oh shut the fk up. It doesn't matter who who is in office. Once you realize any leader, regardless of the political, social, religious, or ethnic background, NONE of them do any help for the people. NO politician is good. NONE OF THEM.

[@83delgado]

@@KamalasNotLikeUs it can be cleaned up. Gavin did it for the Chinese leader.

[@bloodshotred6334]

​@83delgado then you'd be surprised to find out most of us aren't governor Gavin Newsom. You're acting like if I could just get up, put away my phone and get rid of skidrow and homeless 😂

[@83delgado]

@@bloodshotred6334 I can smell salty Democrat voters in the comments. This state is giving alcohol and drug kits to the homeless and creating a problem.

[@manhuntruler2]

No bathrooms, and everything is expensive in that Little Tokyo plaza. Plus those restaurants are all filled with waiting lists. I tried to din at the restaurants but didn’t want to take an hour to two hours to be seated

[@sungkchun]

Let Japanese government buy the landlord out and reinvest and subsidize the rent…

[@Alsayid]

They could pass a law that people who own property in Little Tokyo have to live there, or in the surrounding area.

[@gc641]

Leave it to wall street to f it up

[@nabi5864]

Last time I took my teen daughters there for the stores.... My daughters were creeped out by all the "zombies" laughing ranting walking up and down those streets , plus one decided to squat and go bathroom in middle of the streets ... And that was and will be the last time we ever go there

[@MaxLoopTV]

Build back better sponsored by creepy Joe, Newsom & Bass

[@David-qp4jq]

Silver Spoon Gavin Newsom let's talk about crime homelessness that's the main reason what a disaster in California as a whole

[@helloitsmehb]

Look at homeless and crime charts nationwide. It skyrocketed in 2020. Hmmm. I wonder why? Yet your mind blames politics because of the media

[@jaad9848]

The commenters clearly didn’t watch the video

[@Dtitilator]

Watch the video? It's funny that video excluded the rising crime rate and homelessness in that particular area, yet they want you to focus on the finances.

[@jaad9848]

@@Dtitilator They excluded that because its the direct thing that matters. You bring up "homelessness and crime rates" because they tend to affect property prices but in this case greater economic forces are pricing these people out. Your comment clearly makes no sense because the retailers and restaurants arent leaving due to their choice but because of being priced out. How about you try having a theory which matches the data.

[@PavisGladius]

The commenters clearly DO live in the area as do i

[@jaad9848]

@@PavisGladius you can live in the area and fail at basic understanding of economics 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@AbsentMinded619]

No, the commenters know more than just the shallow commentary that’s in the video.

[@rampar77]

Little Tokyo and even Chinatown have not been represented by Japanese and Chinese for over 40 years. These areas had deteriorated near downtown long ago. The residents and business had located to South bay and San Gabriel Valley respectively. I am not sure downtown still attracted tourist with all the homeless.

[@ENScottish]

This Tokyo haven't had developed unlike real Tokyo, because of the government, but had gotten increased the tax and rents. Hope customers will come back.

[@billf4429]

That's good knowledge. Some of us think because it's a historical place means the place will always be there.

[@finchman1]

Little Osaka in West LA, Gardena and North Torrance still have vibrant Japanese business districts. Little Tokyo is challenged due to the prevailing street conditions downtown.

[@michaelfincham2749]

Everyone is being priced out of their Cultural, Historic Communities all over the country. Little Havana is suffering from displacement and gentrification and those of Cuban descent are being pushed out, just like the Japanese of Little Tokyo and or the Latinos of Echo Park, Highland Park, and I'm sure China Town and many others all over the country are feeling it as well. These small businesses don't make that much money, but it was enough to make a comfortable life for their families. Most if not, all didn't have and don't have the money to own the land. And over time companies that don't give a damn about the Culture took over and like always have put dollars before history. I've always loved J-TOWN. I may not be Japanese but even in the 90s I used to think this place must be protected.

[@madthane_]

Gee. I wonder why small businesses are failing in California. And on top of that, it's in LA. Surely has nothing to do with years of compounding bad policies causing a domino effect of unsustainability.

[@travis1271]

easing jail sentences legal theft

[@NathanVu]

I wonder who will rent those new shops that the restaurant owners are getting evicted from. Can't imagine them finding new tenants anytime soon because who can afford to move in apart from big business, but than how will those big business get customers if everyone is moving out.

[@travis1271]

I gets it’s gonna be some fusion garbage or some other typical American shopping center this is l.a no exactly unexpected

[@JarodWilkerson]

Suehiro?! No! I loved that place 😭

[@TeaPea-jq4ib]

I love little Tokyo. Just another example of corporate greed buying up the properties and raising rent through the roof.

[@bencera6067]

I'm a lefty generally speaking, but we can't take care of ALL of the homeless that come to LA. Seriously, if you go volunteer more than half the homeless are from out of STATE.

[@NicEeEe843]

At least you get what you voted for

[@ernst91]

Same for us here in Vegas.

[@AbsentMinded619]

It’s statistically much less than half who are from out of state. And that’s consistent with the population of LA generally. Tons of people move here to CA to follow their dreams.

[@boohoohoohoo]

How are these rents going up when skid row is literally next door.

[@Deagles23]

I went to that museum once. Said donations are welcome. The guard made people donate before they walked in. We had no money so we just left. Not gonna get shook down at a museum.

[@mariusfacktor3597]

They've been building lots of housing in Little Tokyo but it's not enough. There simply isn't enough housing in the area so the long-time residents are forced to compete with vacancies with new arrivals. They could pedestrianize some of those horrendously wide streets that cut through Little Tokyo and build high rises on that land.

[@IMeMineWho]

This is all over California. Something has to be done about investment landlords and large property management companies.

[@geraldarcuri9307]

"Protected"? From what? Free enterprise? Capitalism? Residents will have to face reality. Government has no business "protecting" communities from reality. If the public is willing to support a historical landmark, it will survive; if not, it won't. Little Tokyo is not entitled to anything other than the freedom to promote its own interests. That said, as a person with a mixed Japanese-American family, I am hopeful that they will be successful.

[@Californiansurfer]

Yes, it has changed , I remember 1980 there wasn’t much but the people made the place beautiful . The small business are now closed with new hello kitty or some trendy new stuff. The people are what make it. Frank Martinez. Downey California 😅

[@starfy1197]

Little Tokyo isn’t what it used to be and it’s really unfortunate

[@gunnasintern]

jp businesses are prioritizing San Gabriel Valley, South Bay, and Orange County instead of LA

[@paquitoignacio3449]

The problem with the landlord they are driving those businesses to bankruptcy, raising astronomical rent.

[@helloitsmehb]

Their costs are high too. It’s bad for everyone

[@helloitsmehb]

Because their cost go up too

[@SonnyBear5]

that last line must’ve been hard to read 😢

[@giovanniolano9549]

damn one of the precious places from LA gonna enjoy it before its gone 😢

[@WilliamFang173]

I'm still unable to make sense of both gentrification and homelessness increasing in the same neighborhood. Do the wealthier newcomers expect the homeless folks simply to leave?

[@AbsentMinded619]

The middle class is leaving or becoming poor due to CA politics. Mid-level business owners were the most likely to leave the State due to its draconian Covid rules (which baffled Adam Silver and were not based on anything other than Newsom’s hatred for small business owners, the driving demographic behind the recall attempt.) When there’s no upper-middle class, you have to sell to the rich, and rich people like getting prime real estate at a relative bargain. They don’t mind homeless people because they rarely have to interact with them and their homes have walls and gates.

[@jc3drums916]

Most people would rather mask the symptoms (harass them, arrest them, drive them just a little bit further away) than deal with the root cause, because if they did, they'd have to accept the reality that their gentrification is actively contributing to the homelss crisis.

[@smileydog5941]

IT'S LITTERALY NEXT TO SKID ROW

[@The_Notorious_N.O.E.]

Los Angeles is its own worst enemy

[@DovidM]

As rents go up, the businesses that survive would tend to deal in high value but compact items like designer eyewear. There can only be so many eyeglass stores in JTown. I suspect some businesses might migrate to Sawtelle. Their existing customers would not follow them to Sawtelle but they possibly can attract a new clientele there.

[@paulliebler7660]

6th Street looks like Syria

[@maxmurphy7306]

Syria is a country. Damascus is the capital Einstein 😆 🤣 😂 😹 😆

[@eekay3646]

Well, my favorite Japanese restaurant is Kouraku. However, the prices went up understandably, but the service took a dip. I don't like those robots coming to serve us. It feels so sterile. Lastly, I don't visit DTLA or Little Tokyo when it's dark. Too many fentanyled out homeless people there. No thanks.

[@nulnoh219]

FinBro putting the cart before the horse. Evicting what's special about this place won't get you higher rents...

[@sadiemellow]

I don't go near there. The traffic is ridiculous... i No parking.. Sad it's being priced out just like Chinatown, Atwater village and Highland park and echo park. All dangerous cities but people want to live there and hike up the prices.

[@alksjda]

its not a city problem... its a landlord problem.

[@madthane_]

Nah. It's a city and state problem. Little Tokyo, being in California and Los Angeles, of all places, is the worst. The City and State hate businesses.

[@dswynne]

All these places are in danger, and not just the J-Towns. The China Towns are also being hit hard, particularly when COVID happened.

[@gingeralice3858]

Sad because downtown is closer to me but Gardena will become the new J town. Most Japanese owned businesses exist now in the south bay, SGV, or orange county (but OC is mostly Korean.)

[@Daniel-uy8ki]

i drove one block over from japan town not knowing it was SKID ROW. Always have GPS on and avoid sketchy places. The homesless were throwing rocks at my car

[@panzfaust9812]

Should adopt what the koreans did during LA riots

[@KamalasNotLikeUs]

They offed no one but one of their own, so what's your suggestion?

[@san3570]

We have inflation and bad economy, money spends to make enemy world wide.😢

[@JayWind111]

Little Tokyo has a huge homelessness problem lol. You walk around there and you'll see a lot of homeless peeps. If you visit, make sure you are mindful.

[@saynotop2w]

I’ve been to Torrance and Irvine where Japanese business districts thrive. They are much better than LA - cleaner, safer, and cheaper. Home is where the people are. I wouldn’t get attached to a piece of land.

[@kodakflaps8267]

I live in Boyle heights and there are so many luxury high rises all around little Tokyo now only 10 years ago this wasn’t the case! My community is being priced out as well it used to be many Asian and Latinos here now you see a ton of white people that can pay 2500 for a small apartment it’s sad.

[@bfranco1519]

Get out of the city as fast as possible. It’s only going to get worse!

[@MAGGIE_CHI]

Its sad cuz i love going to little tokyo but accessing the place through public transportation isnt the greatest and now that the city finally made a train station near it the greediness of the landlords ruined it all

[@AL-ei2gc]

American greed

[@robmir7056]

This is what happens when companies pay to much for a property that in a local treasurer and it comes down to profit and who cares about the history.. there I just saw about money and how much they can do and if they have to get rid of the other people because good living a good life, sustaining the property what is their real motive, money, money, money money money this is what happens when you have too much Cap capitalism capitalism

[@user-pe3tt7iu7g]

I still love going there

[@amickoamora7844]

Come to riverside, we could sure use a little tokyo

[@frankjoseph6071]

they had to get an asian dude to report on this

[@nondescriptnyc]

There is a three-word solution: FREE AMPLE PARKING!

[@webguy943]

Why is everyone talking about homeless when they literally said its greedy corporations n investors pricing out the space. Got some of these youtube commenters are tarted.

[@jc3drums916]

Right-wing bots and idiots who want to distract and shift the narrative away from "capitalist policies (that they themselves are in favor of) ruin everything."

[@genetung8590]

I lost my appetite on my way to a sushi dinner due to the blocks of homelessness!

[@AbsentMinded619]

Ssshhhh no we can’t talk about that, we’re going with “it’s the greedy landlords’ fault.”

[@robertgallagher7734]

Just a thought but Diaso stores are popping up in other places- so are Japanese supermarkets. Tokyo Central, Mitsui, etc. around SoCal. Even a huge anime themed store in Irvine now. Maybe the drop in business is because Japanese are spreading out & you don't have to go to LA to get that experience.

[@tanyas.2087]

Oh no 😮 Hope it stays

[@pineapplesauce6615]

the rich asking for help while they ban plastic bags. WHAT ABOUT DOG POOP SIR. SO I JUST LEAVE IT ON YOUR LAWN?

[@Jeanne90275]

Crime, too.🤬

[@davidlam9531]

Also LA county's dumb rule about natural gas for restaurants.

[@Jeanne90275]

@@davidlam9531 Their attempt to convince homeowners that gas appliances causes asthma and should be banned appears to have fooled no one.😂

[@mrxman581]

Little Tokyo is safe. I've never had a problem.

[@kikotv6437]

Democrat cities are a mess...

[@initialTRD]

they’ll move to Gardena or torrance

[@seatee4770]

Big money doesn't give a damn for historic significance. All about the $$$.

[@somewhereinthemiddle8489]

Little Tokyo is amazing. luved going there in the late 2000s. not so much now as it looks like an extension of skid row. but let's not pretend the city is contributing to its uncertainty. They demolished a historic building that had housed senor fish taco to build a metro station.

[@elss6950]

It’s just a tourist trap with expensive merchandise

[@joeE-kt8of]

there is no human traffic so...

[@MattLashbrook]

Little tokyo needs to get rid of parking structures and street parking so it can be more pedestrian friendly. The new metro station has been amazing.

[@youarehere1251]

Japantown and Chinatown both are going downhill, people rather go to Asian shopping plaza with free parking.

[@kevinong1735]

No cry when your J-Town no more… 😢

[@walawala-fo7ds]

Investors always destroy everything

[@darrenchan4594]

wait for the next economic downturn and next real estate crisis, buy back the lands cheaper and keep them.

[@habuteru]

Greedy landlords gonna regret raising rent and trying to collect on empty spaces.