Hello, Harajuku: Imagining the Near Future with CCBT

From the Takenoko-zoku (Takenoko tribe) to kawaii, Harajuku has given birth to unique cultures with each passing era. In this talk, key figures in the community discuss the future of Harajuku.

An incubator for unique cultures, Harajuku has attracted many people who want to experience those cultures over the years. Each part of Harajuku, from Takeshita Street to Omotesando and Cat Street, has its own distinctive cultural character. And yet just a step away from those bustling streets is the residential side of Harajuku, which has a deep-rooted character as a place where people live. It is to this area that Civic Creative Base Tokyo has now relocated. This talk considers the near future as well as the kinds of chemical reactions that CCBT’s arrival might spark.

Nagata Shinko is a member of CCBT’s steering committee, and the director and secretary general of Future Design Shibuya, which aspires to continue expanding the possibilities of the city by generating new culture and sparking social innovation in Shibuya. At NTT Urban Development Corporation, the developer of WITH HARAJUKU and Harajuku Quest, Kusumoto Masayuki has been involved in the design, project management, and business production for various redevelopment and community planning projects. Koike Hiroyo is the director and secretary general of the Shibuya City Tourism Association which aims to revitalize the entire ward, enrich the lives of all residents and visitors, and create an attractive urban environment. Nakagawa Yusuke is CEO of the Harajuku-based ASOBISYSTEM, which has close ties to the community, and promotes Harajuku’s fashion, music, and lifestyle culture both domestically and internationally. Featuring these key figures who have engaged with culture from their own perspectives, the event is moderated by Saito Seiichi, the founder of Panoramatiks who also serves as a co-creation strategy advisor at CCBT and member of the steering committee member. Join us in imagining the near future of Harajuku.