In this walk, we explore how the circuits of power and money in Tokyo flow around the Imperial Palace. In this episode, we witness the transformative power of corporate capital in Marunouchi, one of its strongholds, and the consumption to which it gives rise, in Ginza.

We start in Hibiya Park, originally a district of lordly mansions, turned into a military parade field; then intended to anchor an imposing government district, but too unstable to support the heavy ministries; and so converted to a public park, but soon providing a flashpoint for popular riots. It’s a fitting place to start exploring the tensions between control and license, accumulation and dissipation, which are visible near the palace. We walk down under the train tracks and the expressway into Ginza, once a commoner district, now a synonym for luxury consumption, with global brands and statement buildings on the main roads, restaurants, bars, and clubs stacked on top of each other on the quieter streets, next to the occasional inconspicuous shrine. Heading back towards the palace takes us into a less ostentatious world. First, next to the tracks, Yurakuchō, with cheaper places to unwind after work; and then Marunouchi, with its striking convention centre, the corporate bastion of Mitsubishi, and the new tall towers sprouting next to the station, where we end the walk. We can see the palace again from here, but it’s clear that power in contemporary Japan has shifted to those with their hands on capital. 

You can follow the walk on this map: bit.ly/3LC0Ilh

And you can find the full transcript here: bit.ly/3HfgkIL

See a sneak peek on TikTok: tiktok.com/@walkhistoricity and Instagram: instagram.com/WALKHISTORICITY

WRITER AND PRESENTER: Angus Lockyer

PRODUCER: Jelena Sofronijevic

This series was supported by the Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation. Find out more at: gbsf.org.uk

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