How is Japan doing at three in the morning?

Japan’s nightlife lasts until three in the morning

According to NHK reports, the number of foreign tourists visiting Japan in 2017 reached 28.69 million, setting a record high. They spend a lot of time in accommodation, shopping, etc. consumption reached 4.4161 billion yen. Japan has always advocated the establishment of a tourism-based country, and the government has previously proposed a new goal - to increase the number of tourists visiting Japan to 40 million by 2020, and the consumption amount to reach 8 trillion yen. In order to achieve this goal, Japan plans to vigorously develop the "night time economy". The Liberal Democratic Party established the "Members' Alliance for the Promotion of Time Market Creation" in April last year. What new entertainment projects will be brought about by the revitalization of night tourism, and how will Japan's various systems change?

Foreign tourists are dissatisfied with Japan’s nightlife. The main problem is: the last bus is too early.

In a survey by the Japan Policy and Investment Bank, nearly half of the foreigners who answered “Want to travel to Tokyo” Said he wanted to experience the local nightlife. But another survey showed that 7% of foreign tourists in Japan were dissatisfied with nightlife experiences such as bars. According to OECD statistics, the amount spent by foreign tourists on entertainment activities during their stay in Japan only accounts for 1% of the total amount.

For Europeans and Americans, they are mostly used to the night culture of their own countries, so they also want to experience Japanese nightlife when they go to Japan. However, many people reported in interviews that problems such as "the last train is too early" and "the entertainment projects are not rich enough". In New York, USA, there are many Broadway performances after 8 pm, and the New York subway operates 24 hours a day, so you don’t have to worry about the last train when traveling at night. In London, the usual nightlife is to go see a musical or visit an art gallery. The subway operates 24 hours a day on weekends, which provides a lot of convenience. And the "night economy" has brought it nearly 4 trillion yen in revenue and created 720,000 jobs.

Public transportation has turned to the European and American model, and Japan’s nightlife has been extended to 3 a.m.

With reference examples and the voices of tourists, Japan is also thinking about what to do. Although it wants to provide tourists with rich nightlife from 8 pm to 3 am, based on the current situation, the Japan Tourism Agency summarized some problems that need to be solved at a meeting in October last year. First of all, entertainment activities such as live houses and musicals will be held to enrich the nightlife, but there are few available venues. Secondly, there is a serious lack of nighttime traffic. Whether subways in big cities should operate 24 hours a day, whether municipal buses need to join this ranks, and whether late-night operations will involve maintenance and noise are all issues that need to be solved urgently. In addition, what legal restrictions should be imposed on live houses and bars that operate late at night?

The "Councillor Alliance for Time Market Creation and Promotion" ultimately identified the core of developing the "night economy" as introducing a 24-hour subway operation system and extending the business hours of entertainment venues. They also suggested that Monday morning be designated as a day off. Japan follows the example of foreign countries in setting up "night mayors" in local governments. However, the development of the night economy is likely to lead to deterioration of public security and overwork of workers, which are also issues that need to be faced. Once various measures are implemented, the expansion of consumption is expected to bring economic benefits to Japan of approximately 5 trillion yen per year.

Traditional literature and art, new trends... Various types to meet different tastes

At present, Tokyo and Osaka have become pioneers in the development of the "night economy". Chongshi Mu, the author of "Night Tourism Economics", believes that some festivals can be put to good use. In this regard, the Japan Memorial Day Association predicts that if there are more entertainment activities on Halloween, its economic benefits will exceed the 134.5 billion yen brought by Valentine's Day. At present, Shinjuku and Shibuya in Tokyo have developed many typical places for the "night economy". Previously, a cultural fusion performance called "wa!" was held in a hotel in Tokyo's Shinagawa District. The performance was hosted by an Argentinian art performance troupe. A lot of Japanese culture has been added to it, integrating music, light, shadow and dance, and attracting foreign tourists through the fusion of different cultures. In addition, there are many similar performances and restaurants that focus on developing the "night economy" and attracting foreign tourists.