Final Installment: Tokyo Culture at a Standstill

■In Tokyo, 2006

TakagiI was born in Tokyo, but I'm starting to dislike the city more and more each year. The areas around Shibuya, Aoyama, Ginza, and Roppongi are particularly uninteresting.

SuzukiWhy is that?

TakagiI've always approached music and fashion with a street concept, but my next focus is travel. From street culture to travel culture. I need to break free from here and think about clothes and bags for playing all over the world. When I do that, I realize there's nothing fun left in Tokyo. I like the city itself, but the people walking around don't look happy. They don't seem to be enjoying their food either. I actually think the core of Japanese culture is 'nightlife entertainment,' but the establishments for that are completely unoriginal and not fun.

SuzukiI see.

TakagiAs I think you've noticed, Mr. Suzuki, Japanese culture, especially the music industry, has been stuck in time for 20 years. It's as if nightlife entertainment—Roppongi culture—has become Japanese culture, and when you look at popular magazines, they're just not interesting. Especially fashion magazines for young women. In Japan, culture is limited to either 'yankii' or 'fancy.'

SuzukiJapan isn't exactly leading the world, is it?
I had a lot of fun today, but how about you, Mr. Takagi?

TakagiIt was a pleasure meeting you, Mr. Suzuki.

SuzukiIs that so? Thank you. Let's go out for a meal sometime.

■After the Dialogue

He says he doesn't watch TV or browse websites, enjoys reading books while listening to music, and likes meeting people and dining out—that's all. Mr. Takagi is quite interesting. His lifestyle, with the frequency of his meals and sleeping outdoors (laughs), has inspired me to consider changing my own lifestyle a bit.

Masafumi Suzuki