LOS ANGELES – In segment one, Kristin Fukushima, executive director Little Tokyo Community Council, talks to Hal about the endangered status of Little Tokyo as the area deals with rising rents, gentrification and loss of its historical identity.
Don Tahara, owner of Far Bar, one of the legacy businesses in Little Tokyo, explains what challenges his business has faced in recent years, and how they are attempting to hang on.
In segment two, Irene Tsukada Simonian, owner of Bunkad, and Carol Tanita, co-owner of Rafu Bussan, discuss the challenges they’ve faced as two of the other legacy businesses in Little Tokyo. They discuss their optimism and fears that the historic area will be further erased.…