# Shibrava? Exploring the charm of working, playing, and living in Shibuya

KEYPERSON

Hinterland is very rich Shibuya deep market
Expected to adult retreat areas, such as comparable to the Nishi-Azabu

Ltd. BALS PresidentIkuo Takashima

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1956 Born in Fukui Prefecture. Kansai University Faculty of Economics after graduation, Fukui of furniture manufacturer, Maruichi sailing joined. Established BALS as the company new business in 90 years. The next 91 years, he became the representative director. 92 years, opened its first store "Francfranc" to Tennozu Isle. 96 years, independent of the MBO. 2002, JASDAQ listing. Then, in 2006 through the Tokyo Stock Exchange 2 section listed it became a place of specified in the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange. "Amadana" consumer electronics manufacturers "realistic Fleet" Chairman of the Board, which is known by the brand, also concurrently serve as "Tokyo house" director, which was founded last year.

"Francfranc (franc franc)," "BALS TOKYO" BALS to deploy nationwide interior business categories, such as. In July this year, we opened the "Francfranc" flagship store on the road surface of the corner along the Inokashira street. Takashima president of BALS headquartered in the middle of Shibuya, we hear the view of Shibuya.

Shibuya that it can not be made to the adult of the city. "Food" is weak Tokunikoromo, food and housing

- I met the first in Shibuya the city?

No, I wonder when (laughs). It's almost 30 years ago, since I came to Tokyo by transfer. Since I lived in Kichijoji at that time, I used to come to Shibuya by INOKASHIRA LINE .

- Shibuya impression of that time?

Not changed much even now, but it was felt that "young town" in a nutshell. In commercial right now, but there is also a part you started to stated that the adult of the city, even if there is youth culture thing is to ... Shibuya that can not be made to the adult of the city, I was still feeling that the bottom is shallow ne. Formal place is small and casual. I mean sizzle feeling, that sort of is a place where there is it is very small. Is there a feeling, such as remaining in a corner of the neighborhood Maruyama-cho, but Do in about it, or something very much you stay not feel. Changes in the good sense, I feel more wanted. From me it is after work, at night you go out here and there To Somehow, but it does not have most to Shibuya night to working in Shibuya. When it comes to our age, what is Todoma in Shibuya will feel very little.

- What is the reason you can not break away from the "young town"?

I think that there is no food. "Food" is Shibuya It is weak of clothing, food and housing. Dining options, as a place to put out the store, Shibuya I do not think too much I think float. Nishi-Azabu, Roppongi, Aoyama, will to come to mind such a place, but .... Fashion is also a very small adult fashion. Department store is the adult feel not 's adult fashion and say either. Ish a little more now, those aimed at adults who have a so-called Young's mind is to very little, there is no such facility. It is I will be a little disappointing feeling. So, "Francfranc" is Kedomo out to Shibuya, now is not so much the concept of the Shibuya "BALS TOKYO".

- Is it possible to change the Shibuya of the city?

To change the city, I think that it is difficult if not fare together with people like to lead the urban development. Now it is the young people of the city, young to people who have became more and more less, but now remains young people only the target, or would not be likely to go to market to shrink. In that sense, if you do not Ika in the town where adults can enjoy to have a young mind, I feel that day become boring. In the vicinity of Shibuya, to some Ebisu as a city that adults can enjoy, it is located in the side if you go to Naka-Meguro. But, there are not enough Shibuya. It could also be that you have buried Conversely, I think that I if there is a place that is a little more Todoma something. I feel also what good is also divided the area basis.

- Is there a place to haunt dare personally in it?

I go occasionally to those who Sakuragaoka. Maruyama-cho, Sakuragaoka, or rather Shinsen, what Kamiyama-cho district towards the back of the Tokyu department store. Recently, it will come out interesting shops dots in Kamiyama-cho.

- A few years ago, it was transferred to headquarters from Nishi-Azabu in Shibuya.

There was a store in Shibuya, the background is that was transferred to the head office in the place close to the site. Shibuya is because it is a major commercial land, many things just to stroll during the day as well as the store of out will or looked. I think that it is okay in the city there is a very site sense in that sense. Merit after all, because it is a major commercial areas, will be that very place Tteyuu marketing is easy to skin sensuous part. So, even at lunch, Brat and variety here and there to go.

Shibuya deep market hinterland has matured very rich

- I was out the flagship store of "Francfranc" to the street Inokashira?

Again to Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro in the city center is the place of a major terminal, in that there is no store in town called Shibuya, location since it also had was that over the inconvenience to our customers, it just as soon, as possible the was looking for. Parco Part 2 Shibuya it means that suddenly closures in the problems, I thought from much I between was also not to be prepared, before the need to issue a road surface store in Shibuya in any case. Shibuya of customers is still close to the image of the core target of "Francfranc". "Francfranc", the target layer is a 25-year-old, so we assume the woman living in the living alone in the city, it will Come very many people of that image. Quote-unquote, I think that's a very large city is more of F1 layer.

- Do you have captured how the Shibuya store market?

Since the Shibuya district Seongnam have refrained as hinterland, it has matured very rich. Because I think the bottom is that it is a deep market, it is really a waste city. We feel the potential of the city very much. So, people of Shibuya commercial will I hope me to capture more adult. For example, Shibuya in the wayside of household income and education level is also high, is often a house with architecture and high-quality interior space. In addition, such Futakotamagawa and Jiyugaoka, then you have ahead is a second-line town, such as second only to the Shibuya, because is where the leads Yokohama, very well the neighborhood deep. Conversely, Shibuya has the image of a city that has not been responding to the environment you are blessed that.

- But have been opened in various places, do you perceive how other city and Shibuya difference?

Center Street and 109 I think also that it symbolic place of Shibuya. I mean other than the place is very unfair, and I feel that thin is. So, I think that I can be a little more close-up by area. It "Nonbei Alley" is also interesting when the line, I think I wish I become a little more nice park Miyashita park. Shibuya you can always try something hot, something like sizzle sense, it already is a little want. Including the Maruyama-cho, I think that a long time ago was a kind of town. Such goodness is, is a place where something has gone too soon, think that is very wasteful. I always talk to many people, but the large-scale development of the inner city than not anymore nobody asked, and. Than the inorganic development, such as those from much conventional, like the pleasure of the alley is, when it is developed in a more current form, I think that very Do not fun.

- The possibility of Shibuya the city, whether you will be able to draw it?

I think that has already been addressed, but things like a town planning committee which drew the future, present a little more neatly, I think that should I divide the area basis. This zone is Toka's such area, Toka's this person of here. Since Shibuya is a valley, because we are concentrated various street, I think there is a color-coded by the street, I think that easy to come people and more clearly to the side. Surprisingly Shibuya, or would not it better for people to say "do not know" in many cases. I think I even if there is something "missing sense of" somewhere. Most want is, is the sizzle feeling.

SHIBUYA Francfranc 外観(photo Nakasa & Partners inc.)

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