Akiba Performers Dwindle after Public Pressure

**Silverstone** · 05-07-2008, 11:53 PM

Quote:

The Yomiuri Shimbun paper notes (in Japanese or in English) that street performers have all but disappeared from Tokyo's Akihabara otaku shopping district after April's arrest of a female performer and much publicized volunteer patrols. Street performers used to congregate on Sundays and holidays, when the "Akiba" district shuts its main street to vehicular traffic. Similar to how western Tokyo's Harajuku district became a hot spot for musicians and gothic lolita cosplayers during the holidays over a decade ago, Akihabara attracted Haruhi dancers and starlets such as Halko Momoi and Shoko Nakagawa. However, a female performer was arrested on April 27 for exposing her underwear on the previous weekend, and about 120 government officials and volunteers began patrolling the streets to curb street performances.

Hmm...

**TakKi** · 05-08-2008, 03:07 AM

Something seems fishy about that story. Are there anymore articles about it? or could you PM me the source, maybe? 'Hm...' indeed.

**Silverstone** · 05-08-2008, 04:00 AM

There is currently no further information. I'd definitely keep it updated tho.

**Benawolnow** · 05-08-2008, 04:15 AM

Ouch that stinks for those people who make a living there like being those robots painted all gray/silver and instrumental artists etc...

**TakKi** · 05-08-2008, 05:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silverstone

There is currently no further information. I'd definitely keep it updated tho.

thanks.

**Gojyo** · 05-08-2008, 06:25 PM

It seems kinda silly to me to have all street performances stopped over just one incident.

**TakKi** · 05-09-2008, 01:43 AM

*facepalm*
yes, the whole story reeks of something-gone-wrong-behind-the-scenes.
xD

**Benawolnow** · 05-09-2008, 04:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gojyo

It seems kinda silly to me to have all street performances stopped over just one incident.

It's not silly, they probably watched it on the news or witnessed it themselves and decided not to go anymore if they value their clean record or decently clear record for jail etc...

**Gojyo** · 05-09-2008, 07:33 PM

I meant that it seemed silly that government officials are trying to stop street performances over just one incident. I didn't mean that it was silly that the performers themselves are no longer going there. I can't blame them for that if it is just going to get them in trouble.

**Aracelais** · 05-09-2008, 07:51 PM

It really does seem like they are hiding something..... All of that effort is going into the street patrols etc for just one woman showing her underwear?? Hmm.

**TakKi** · 05-09-2008, 08:25 PM

↑
Aye, what I've been trying to say. It seems really weird though, doesn't it?
I hope Silver pops in sometime soon with an update. There's gotta be more
to this story... Hmm, indeed.

**mangime** · 05-09-2008, 08:41 PM

seems fishy to me...

**Silverstone** · 05-09-2008, 11:02 PM

More detailed story.

Quote:

The pressure on Akiba Walker's Paradise has been heating up, and the media has also joined in the game by adding more spice to the weekly Sunday drama. Today at Akiba, an interesting phenomenon has happened; a group of policemen whom the otaku calls the 'blue people' were followed by groups of reporters from TV stations and behind them is an even bigger group of curious crowd.
At least four TV stations, including Yomiuri TV, TBS and Nippon TV were at hokoten today to do a story on the "police VS performers" drama. According to an interview with the police on patrol, cosplaying is not illegal but drawing a crowd because of that is illegal. The policeman claimed that many shops along Chuo Dori have complained to the police that these crowds are blocking traffic to their shops and the noises from the singers or bands are affecting their business. Furthermore, common folks have also complained about indecent exposure in public; probably referring to the self-claimed sexy idol Asuka Sawamoto who lifted up her leg to show her buttocks to hungry cameras and causing mayhem at Akiba. Many an otaku on the street are upset about her behavior, blaming such as the cause for stricter police patrols and the worsening image of Akihabara as a 'lawless' place.

Even with the patrols, no one seems to be bothered as people still wait patiently for police to finish their rounds at the main stretch on Chuo Dori. Apparently, the traffic at the walker's paradise or Hokoten has moved to the other side of the station, or the Yodobashi camera area since last week to avoid the police; but these days, police have also started patrolling outside of the hokoten in retaliation. Now that their route has lengthened to other parts of Akiba, it takes a longer time before the uniformed men return to the main scene where most performers gather.

The police have became stricter in dispersing the crowds lately, but the crowd dispersal scene ironically becomes entertainment, drawing an even bigger crowd than a cosplayer usually would. The police lecturing the otaku also gets filmed by the TV stations and later on the 'victims' were interviewed by the reporters. Among them is perhaps the most famous otaku in Akiba, who goes by the Akiba name of Haruhi, notorious for starting the Haruhi cosplay trend at Akiba. Haruhi hangs out at Akiba every Sunday and often appears on Japanese TV. Two weeks ago, Haruhi brought air guns to play with his friends at the Hokoten which got him into trouble with the police again and became big news.

Today, Haruhi is not in cosplay but the police picked on him again because he stood out. Haruhi happened to be standing next to a performer who drew a crowd but not a finger was laid on the performer at all because the police recognised Haruhi immediately. The dialogue between Haruhi and the policemen went on for a good 15 minutes and for some reason gathered the biggest crowd of the day.

When asked how can the problem be solved for performers at Akiba Hokoten, police said, "You can try to get permission from the ward to use the park nearby or rent a space inside one of the buildings. The walker's paradise is controlled by the police headquarters and is of a different rank so it is almost impossible to get permission. If you can get permission from the ward for the park nearby, then we will not interfere." The policeman also added that he hopes the media would raise awareness about the fact that creating crowds at Akiba hokoten is illegal.
Preventing indecent acts like the panties-exposing Asuka Sawamoto also nicknamed 'misepanko' or girl who shows her panties, seems to be the police's priority. However, even with all the police patrols, Asuka Sawamoto still came to Akiba again today to show off her buttocks for a good ten minutes. Otaku on the street failed to see that the police is just doing their job and blames the police. However, otaku also fails to see the purpose of Asuka Sawamoto's buttock flashing stint and blames her for causing unrest at Akiba. Nevertheless, the Police have beaten Asuka Sawamoto's butt-flashing stunt because the police's authoritarian approach seems to be the talk of Akiba today.

**Silverstone** · 05-09-2008, 11:05 PM

The Aftermath of Asuka Sawamoto

Quote:

Asuka Sawamoto was released from custody the next day after she was arrested. In her blog, Sawamoto mentioned her surprise at the overwhelming media attention on her as she was not a famous person. Later on in an interview, she commented that she would not go to Akiba for purposes other than shopping. On May 6th, Sawamoto finally returned to Akiba but was covered up in jeans and a sweater. Nevertheless, she was instantly recognized and surrounded by cameras to which she gladly posed and gave a peace sign. In pictures, she appeared to be wearing very plain clothes and her face looked weary.
After the arrest, Sawamoto became an instant hero and won fans as well as enemies. She had more than 1000 requests, more than 1000 messages and more than 300 invitations to join communities on mixi. On top of that, she received 500 emails and around 2000 comments everyday since she got famous. The Sawamoto craze may persist because the media will continue to watch her since she makes news. For good or bad, because of her the media's eyes are all on Akiba now.

**Silverstone** · 05-09-2008, 11:11 PM

I also have the picture if anyone is interested