Nike Park Tokyo Controversy
September 18, 2008 ⋅ Uncategorized ⋅ by Eugene Kan ⋅ 6 Views

In a move considered controversial by many, Nike Japan recently purchased the naming rights to a central park in Tokyo within the Shibuya business district. Originally named Miyashita Park, the run-down space was largely reserved for a small population of 34 homeless people. However with the transfer of rights to Nike to create Nike Park, the homeless people will be required to find a new space. Among Nike’s plans are to create a skate park with cafe which will require an entrance fee. Although allowing companies to buy the rights to certain landmarks is not uncommon in Japan, the eviction of a homeless community has raised questions regarding the power of the dollar and resulted in the “Keep it Miyashita” campaign. In addition commentary from local skater Daniel Pulvermacher over at his blog YWS outlines the pros/cons of this move by Nike.

Source: YWS, The Observers, Global Voices

Tags:  
  • conspiracyzach

    I used to hang out at this park. Now I am busy fighting Nike from tearing down the neighborhood where I grew up here in Eugene, Oregon. I posted six videos on Utube about it. To watch them go to the Utube site and use the search there with keywords:nike university of oregon. Thanks residents of Tokyo, for resisting insidious Nike privatization schemes. Nike…..Just Sue It! To get the full story on Nike city takeover goals read the excellent book titled “Who’s Afraid of Niketown?”. It contains their whole city rebranding plan.

  • conspiracyzach

    I used to hang out at this park. Now I am busy fighting Nike from tearing down the neighborhood where I grew up here in Eugene, Oregon. I posted six videos on Utube about it. To watch them go to the Utube site and use the search there with keywords:nike university of oregon. Thanks residents of Tokyo, for resisting insidious Nike privatization schemes. Nike…..Just Sue It! To get the full story on Nike city takeover goals read the excellent book titled “Who’s Afraid of Niketown?”. It contains their whole city rebranding plan.

  • in tokyo

    this just shows how nike has no respect for community and the meaning behind true hip hop…

  • in tokyo

    this just shows how nike has no respect for community and the meaning behind true hip hop…

  • zombooney

    space 4 the homless must b limited in japan.Nike ought to give em some MJ’s and tell em to get lost.

  • zombooney

    space 4 the homless must b limited in japan.Nike ought to give em some MJ’s and tell em to get lost.

  • In Japan

    That park is an authentic urban space now with skaters hanging out there along with homeless people and others, real graffiti, real life. Now we going to get some Nike approved fake corporate branded “subculture” branding ad. Sad.

  • In Japan

    That park is an authentic urban space now with skaters hanging out there along with homeless people and others, real graffiti, real life. Now we going to get some Nike approved fake corporate branded “subculture” branding ad. Sad.

  • Sean Geoff

    Thats just fucking bullshit, Nike should be allowed to do whatever the ball sack they want to.

  • Sean Geoff

    Thats just fucking bullshit, Nike should be allowed to do whatever the ball sack they want to.

  • Tony

    Hypebeast is getting in journalism. Bravo!

  • Tony

    Hypebeast is getting in journalism. Bravo!

  • Watson

    Thanks for the link!

    -Watson from YouWillSoon

  • Watson

    Thanks for the link!

    -Watson from YouWillSoon

  • E-MAN

    seems kinda f*cked up. but i guess there are always homeless shelters. so its not as bad as it could be.

  • E-MAN

    seems kinda f*cked up. but i guess there are always homeless shelters. so its not as bad as it could be.

  • c

    capitalism will put your nuts on a dresser, just your nuts and hit them shits with a spiked bat….blaaooow

  • c

    capitalism will put your nuts on a dresser, just your nuts and hit them shits with a spiked bat….blaaooow

  • Buzzz

    i understand what you’re trying to communicate, but i’m not so sure it’s possible to evict someone who has no home. forcibly relocate, perhaps?

  • Buzzz

    i understand what you’re trying to communicate, but i’m not so sure it’s possible to evict someone who has no home. forcibly relocate, perhaps?

  • pork

    F*ck the homeless, we need more advertising!

  • pork

    F*ck the homeless, we need more advertising!

  • ant

    seriously though. they are homeless, they can find some other place to set up at… they don’t own the park; on top of that since when do these people give a d*mn about the homeless anyway?

  • ant

    seriously though. they are homeless, they can find some other place to set up at… they don’t own the park; on top of that since when do these people give a d*mn about the homeless anyway?

  • True

    give those homeless people a job within the skate park/ cafe… promblem solved? Maybe….worth a try!

  • True

    give those homeless people a job within the skate park/ cafe… promblem solved? Maybe….worth a try!

  • rj

    great post Eugene. It’s refreshing to see thoughtful posts like this…the commenters need to grow up though.

  • rj

    great post Eugene. It’s refreshing to see thoughtful posts like this…the commenters need to grow up though.

  • Deinoz

    They should skate over the homeless people like Cartman did in South Park

  • Deinoz

    They should skate over the homeless people like Cartman did in South Park

  • David

    You know this could be looked at like nike was buying/leasing the park from the city for nearly $1.5 million (150M¥). When you look at it that way there isn’t much controversial about it. That happens all the time.

  • David

    You know this could be looked at like nike was buying/leasing the park from the city for nearly $1.5 million (150M¥). When you look at it that way there isn’t much controversial about it. That happens all the time.