User Innovation and Creative Consumption in Japanese Culture Industries : The Case of Akihabara, Tokyo

• The consumption and export of material and immaterial commodities basedupon Japanese popular culture is rapidly growing and continually finds new fans all aroundthe world. In this article, it is suggested that some of the competitiveness of these uniquecultural phenomena can be traced to the very dense and vivid area of Akihabara in Tokyo. Itslong history as an electronic retail district and a more recent influx of firms and shops focusedon popular culture has created a strong place brand that continues to mark Akihabara as thecapital of Japanese cultural industries. It is a space where different consumers, specialist subculturesand firms and their products can interact. The area functions as a hub were ideas andvalues are exchanged, tested and promoted. The article argues that research on innovationmilieus must take account of the role of users and their relation to place.

Subject headings

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Social och ekonomisk geografi (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Social and Economic Geography (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Akihabara

cultural industries

Japan

user innovation

Human geography, economic geography

Kulturgeografi, ekonomisk geografi

Kulturgeografi

Social and Economic Geography

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)