NAT-mECHANICS

Crisis in San Francisco Japantown

2006-03-28T17:59:00.000-08:00

San Francisco Japantown is one of the first places where I guess I realized my otaku-dom and is one of my favorite places to visit for Japanese food and culture. So here's an important article for people who like going to SF Japantown and please make sure to sign the petition for your support @ http://www.savejapantown.com/

Saving Japantown

Sale of historic district properties presents the city with cultural preservation challenges

By Momo Chang

› news@sfbg.com

As San Francisco's Japantown celebrates its 100-year anniversary, the threat of cultural displacement looms. Two hotels, a movie theater, and two malls are up for sale, and no one seems to know what will happen to the spaces.

This is one of only three Japantowns left in the country (the others are in San Jose and Los Angeles), so many are talking about the importance of cultural preservation. But what exactly do they mean?

The reality is that Japantown today is more of a shopping and eating hub than a neighborhood of Japanese residents. In 1920, 5,000 Japanese resided in the city, most of them in the area now called Japantown; today only 1,000 of the neighborhood's 11,600 residents are Japanese, according to census data.

Residents long ago were either forcefully displaced due to internment during World War II or pushed out by redevelopment in the 1960s and '70s.

"There's a challenge in maintaining the cultural history and identity if your population is declining rather than growing in your neighborhood," Linda Jofuku, executive director of the Japantown Task Force, told the Guardian.

Prior to the war, her grandparents operated a grocery store in Japantown but were forced to evacuate and lost their business. Many Japanese Americans relocated to the Richmond or Sunset districts, or to nearby areas like the South Bay, Sacramento, and the East Bay, said Jofuku, who herself grew up in Mountain View.

Many neighborhood residents are nisei, second-generation Japanese Americans in their 70s and 80s, said Jofuku, who coauthored Images of America: San Francisco's Japantown.

"Japantown is the real source where you can find Nisei who have been in the 442nd [Regimental Combat Team]. You can find people who've been interned," said Aaron Kitashima, 22, an Asian American Studies student at San Francisco State University. "You can't learn that from a textbook or learn it from a class."

Kitashima found out about the buildings' sale in a newspaper article and started a "Save Japantown" online petition, which received 10,000 signatures in just a week. His petition also circulated the news to a younger generation — those who don't live in Japantown or read newspapers.

Kitashima, who is half Chinese and half Japanese, told us an ongoing issue is that many in his generation are mixed heritage, or hapa. That, coupled with the fact that the younger generations either grew up in or are moving to the suburbs, makes organizing around a particular neighborhood more complicated.

"I don't even know how much the younger generations are doing to preserve the community," he said.

Though the Japanese American population in Japantown is on the decline, it is still a strong cultural hub, with 150 small businesses, a cultural center, several social service agencies, and a bilingual preschool.

"Japantown is not just people who live or work here — Japanese Americans come back to Japantown for a sense of community," said Sandy Mori of Kimochi, a senior service agency based in Japantown that serves 2,000 elderly Japanese Americans in the Bay Area.

But over the years, developers have been encroaching on properties. In 2000 investors bought Japantown Bowl and turned it into market-rate condos, which cost between $500,000 and more than $1 million per unit. Only 2 of the 48 units were set aside for affordable housing, according to Jofuku.

Just last year, residents and community leaders successfully stopped Starbucks from opening up shop in the condo complex, a proposal that sparked a backlash because several mom-and-pop cafés are already in the neighborhood, including Café Hana and May's Coffee Shop — as well as a Starbucks just two blocks away. But both family-owned cafes are located in Kintetsu Mall, one of the buildings up for sale.

Jofuku argued that more mixed housing, with affordable units for the elderly and young professionals, will bring diversity to the neighborhood to help sustain it.

"If you're relying on people to come on the weekends, it's not enough," she said. "You need cash flow during the week."

At a community meeting Feb. 21, Kintetsu's legal representatives confirmed there is a buyer in mind but that confidentiality agreements prevent them from disclosing who they are or what their intentions are for the property.

"The real travesty is we don't even know who we're dealing with," Sup. Ross Mirkarimi, who attended the meeting and whose district includes Japantown, told us. He said the most lucrative development in the city is building market-rate condos.

Mirkarimi told us he planned to introduce legislation to the board Feb. 28, after our press time. Although it was still being developed when we spoke to him, Mirkarimi said it could include a special-use district that dictates how property can be used, or retail legislation that would prevent big chains from coming in to change the complexion of a neighborhood.

Kintetsu, the Osaka-based company that is selling the hotels and malls, is represented by Minami, Lew, and Tamaki, a San Francisco–based law firm with a reputation for civil rights work, most notably for reopening the US Supreme Court case Korematsu vs. United States.

Don Tamaki, who represented Kintetsu at the community meeting, stated that the company will make sure new owners protect the cultural heritage of Japantown.

"But that can be dissected and defined in a million different ways," Mirkarimi told us. "And that worries me."

And Jofuku noted that there's a lot at stake when community members have no control over the future of Japantown.

"If you don't own the land, you can't control how it's used," Jofuku said. "That's the concern of the people, particularly for tenants." *

Steven T. Jones contributed to this report.

www.savejapantown.com

WHAT'S UP FOR SALE

• AMC Kabuki Theaters (due to an antitrust ruling)

• Radisson Miyako Hotel, Best Western Miyako Inn, Miyaki Mall, and Kintetsu Mall

SAN FRANCISCO'S JAPANTOWN AT-A-GLANCE

• Japantown's borders are California, Geary, Octavia, and Fillmore Streets.

• 1,000 Japantown residents (10 percent) are of Japanese descent; 5,000 (44 percent) are Caucasian; 2,000 (20 percent) are of other Asian descent; and 2,000 (17 percent) are African American.

• 9,000 Japantown residents (80 percent) are renters; 2,000 are home-owners.

• 150 small businesses currently exist in the neighborhood.

• There are several affordable housing complexes for seniors.

• Nonprofits and organizations located in Japantown include the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California, Kimochi Senior Center, Nihonmachi Little Friends (preschool), national headquarters for the Japanese American Citizens League, the Japantown Task Force, the Japanese Benevolent Society, and the Ikenobo Ikebana Society of America. *

Sources: 2000 Census, Japantown Task Force, Japantown Merchants Association

Figure.fm

2006-03-24T01:08:00.000-08:00

Wahhhh! this site is soooo cool~ From the great Danny Choo himself presents a Community where you can post pics of your precious figures and brag about them. The site has only been up a few days but it keeps getting better everyday =)

I think I'm giving so much praise to it since I'm(or was) ranked 1st =) but hell I'm working my butt and reading up how to better my photo's. It's given me great motivation to add some flare and mojo to the pics since I gotta take a few steps ahead to keep myself in the race! Also one of the reasons why I haven't updated my blog lately. =P

Here are some pics of the site and few pics I've posted

Hitting the Books

2006-03-19T23:23:00.000-08:00

After a 2 week somewhat vacation. I've realized that I really enjoy blogging. So I'm deciding to stepping it up. Given, that I am truly starting from scratch but it should be a fun journey ahead of me.

My plans would be to:

1. Take better pictures
2. Be able to understand web scripts
3. Be able to start and build my own blog

I'm pretty sure It won't be a drastic changes so I'll try to take it one step at a time.

Wonder Festival Winter 2006

2006-03-01T23:12:00.000-08:00

Source: Danny Choo and Gunota Headlines

Image from Danny Choo

One of the biggest events for Anime Figure and Model enthusiasts has come this Winter and it has me squealing like my giddy 3 year old cousin. =)

If you're hip otaku and see the latest and rarest stuff definitely time to hit Japan, Stop in at a hobby shop and grab your Wonder Festival catalog, and wait at 4AM at biggest line of anime hobbyists your eyes can ever see. What I'd give to have been there. Luckily thanks to the efforts of the Great Danny Choo and the team at Gunota headlines, We can experience the event thru pictures and Video!

My wishlist would be:
Natsumi Hinata from Bome
Jehuty from Zone of the Enders
Jagd Mirage from FSS
Evangelion Mecha Revoltech Figures

More Pics and Videos here:
Dannychoo.com Wonder Festival 2006 Part 1
Dannychoo.com Wonder Festival 2006 Part 2
Dannychoo.com Wonder Festival 2006 Part 3
Dannychoo.com Wonder Festival 2006 Part 4
Dannychoo.com Wonder Festival the Movie!
HK-DMZ PLUS
Senkawa Otaku Court
Toycan
Toy News International
GA Graphic
Gpara.com
3D_JOB＿blog

Upcoming MG Rumor Mill- Gundam F91

2006-02-28T18:51:00.000-08:00

With the Upcoming release of Climax UC game, The next rumored Master Grade from Bandai might be the F91 Gundam which will also appears in the game.

This really great news that they're moving out of the Zeta series in the Master Grade line. Not that Zeta series is a bad thing ( Zeta is my current favorite series) but after a few months, It's nice that they're starting to change directions. Let's pray they go thru UC 0083 and hope for a Gerbera Tetra Original or Gundam Fix Version and a GP-04. =)

Overkill

2006-02-24T01:52:00.000-08:00

Went Gundam shopping today . . . I think the title sums it up . . .

. . . Gundammit XD

At $4 a piece. You really can't compain though \(^_^)/

Hobby Japan 2006 March

2006-02-21T11:21:00.000-08:00

Here are some of the highlights from the March 2006 Issue of Hobby Japan. This wasn't a really good issue for me. What like about Hobby Japan is the really nice UC MSV's. Though they featured a Barzam variant, It was just horrible.

Dengeki Hobby March 2006

Master Grade Zeta Gundam V.2 1/100 Scale Kit

Basically just another basic MG Zeta V2. Nothing special, It was the finished product of the How-To guide but I didn't scan it. If there's a request . . . If there are even readers of this blog . . . I wouldn't mind scanning them. . .

Master Grade Nemo 1/100 Scale Kit

Recently released this February, The MG Nemo from the Zeta Gundam series features the improved posability featured in the MG Gundam MkII V2.

High Grade Univesal Century Methuss 1/144 Scale Kit

Upcoming release this March, Another suit from the Zeta series which is the HGUC Methuss. A lot of people seems to disagree with the design since the Methuss looks too menacing. Though I personally am liking the design.

HGUC Dom Tri-Stars Set 1/144 Scale Kit

Released last January, HGUC Dom was released in two versions- the regular HGUC Dom/Rick-Dom and the HGUC Dom Tri-Stars set featuring the Black Tri-Stars from the Gundam 0079 Series which comes with 3 Doms and a special display stand.

Zeonography Z'gok and Zock Action Figure

Based on the re-designs of Gundam Celebrity Hajime Katoki, The upcoming Zeonography Based on Non-Gundam Mobile suits or rather Zeon Mobile suits will be releasing the Z'gok which can also be made as the Zock. Comes in 2 colors Red(Char Custom) and Blue(Mass Production). Each Version comes with a unique extra MS which I have no clue what it's called. =P

Eureka Seven Model Kits

There's a lot of Eureka Seven love in this HJ Issue which is my current favorite anime and mecha show. Featuring the recently released Nirvash Type Zero and Terminus 606 Model Kits. Also included is a scratch-built "The End" Model.

If anyone is able to read this blog please do share it with your other friends =) It'd be nice to have some hits. =P

Dengeki 2006 March

2006-02-21T11:03:00.000-08:00

I am just very new to the Plamo scene about 6 months or so but I'm currently subscribed to both Dengeki Hobby and Hobby Japan and believe me, It has completely fueled my desire to delve deeper into this hobby.

For those who don't know what "Plamo" is, Plamo is the Japanese term for Plastic Modeling mainly consist of Gundam, Mecha, Sci-fi, Military, and automobile modeling.

Both Dengeki Hobby and Hobby Japan feature exquisite models made of course by professional modelers. I will scan and share images that I would like to feature monthly from these magazines starting here with Dengeki Hobby.

Dengeki Hobby March 2006

Nu Gundam 1/144 Scale Kit

Not really that rare of a kit but for really old kit, the modeler has gone great lenghts to highly detail the kit to if not better than Master Grade quality. As you can see, The Nu Gundam is fairly larger than regular Gundams so this isn't such a regular 1/144 but bit larger.

HGUC Dom and Rick-Dom 1/144 Scale Kit

Recently released this Febuary 2006 the New HGUC Dom which can also be built as Rick-Dom.

Eureka Seven Terminus 606 model kit

A nicely built Terminus 606 from my current favorite anime Eureka Seven. I really like this improved color scheme and I would probably try to do my kit this way . . . If I ever get to it. =P

Shana from Shakugan no Shana customized Pinky St. Figure

Aside from collecting Gundam and PVC Figures I do enjoy collecting the Pinky St Figures but mostly ones that are tied to anime or video game characters. I wish I could have this one. *drools*

Millenium Falcon model from Fine Molds

This has to be the most detailed Falcon I've seen given that I've only seen that crappy one sold at US hobby stores. This Fine Molds version is highly detailed out of the box plus this sucker is HUUUUUGE!

Voltes V Soul of Chogokin

I guess this not much of a highlight for people living outside of the Philippines but this baby is a treasure for every Filipino kid that ever wanted the Voltes V toy. I remember that really wanted this bad when I was a kid and my Mom never ever bought me one though given the fact that the toy came out during the 80's and was pretty rare and stupidly expensive even during the early 90's. I will definitely grab this new version and relive those nostalgic childhood days. LET'S VOLT-IN!!! *insert Voltes V Volt-In Song*

It's kinda late when I posted this and I haven't scanned Hobby Japan 2006/03. I'll try to post them tomorrow.

First Post V.2

2006-02-21T10:56:00.000-08:00

Hello! I’m Nat Blogging from the Bay Area, Califonia. I’ve only recently migrated to the United States from the Philippines and have only been here for almost five years. I work as a Certified Pharmacy Technician at a local hospital but still at college trying to grab a degree to God knows what. My passion in life is Anime, Technology, Mostly Japanese Technology, and most recently Gunpla or Gundam Plastic Models.

I made this blog mainly not brag about myself, well maybe a little, but share my passions. I’ll try bring the latest new, reviews, and previews on all my hobbies mostly collected from other blogs with my own insight and whatever exclusives I can gather.

I hope that you will enjoy reading my blog as much as I enjoy posting in it.

I originally started on NATmECHANICS.WORDPRESS.COM but their interface was pretty outdated. But blogspot seems to be more flexible and hope to able to stay here. =)