Tokyo Becoming Colony for the Rich, Pritzker Winner Warns

An award-winning architect warned that Tokyo is being trampled by luxury developments, issuing a rare rebuke of his peers for catering to wealthy interests over the public.

Tokyo has long existed in a state of flux, with older buildings routinely razed in favor of modernized, earthquake-resilient structures. But for a megacity in one of the world’s largest economies, the city is surprisingly pedestrian-friendly and human-scaled. Narrow streets and lax zoning allow small shopfronts and bars to thrive, while affordable housing is dotted throughout even wealthy districts. Yet that has been changing in recent years, with sculptural glass-and-steel buildings filled with boutiques, offices and luxury condominiums springing up throughout the city.