Nike Rumoured To Buy Naming Rights To Shibuya Park

[Mulboyne]

ZakZak reports (Japanese) that Nike is in negotiations to pay 300 million yen for five year naming rights to Shibuya's Miyashita Koen and a further 150 million to develop some sports facilities on the site. It's not uncommon for naming rights to buildings and stadia to be up for sale in Japan - there's a Kleenex Stadium in Miyagi - but recently there is a trend for local authorities to offer publicly-owned institutions up for renaming. There is even a precedent not far from the park in question. Shibuya Kokaido ("Shibuya Public Hall") was built in 1964 to host the weightlifting event for the Tokyo Olympics and has subsequently served as one of city's leading concert halls. In 2006, Dentsu and Suntory paid 80 million yen to the ward - also for five years - to rebrand it C.C. Lemon Hall after the best-selling soft drink. There have been other deals around the country for public spaces. Just a few days ago, woodland in Saga prefecture became the Coca Cola West Tosu Shimin no Mori while naming rights for major parks in Tottori and Fukushima prefectures have also been sold. What makes the Nike proposal a little different is that Miyashita Koen is, at best, a mid-sized space which has some residents concerned that anything could now be up for sale. For Shibuya Ward, however, the park has become something of a headache in recent years. Situated five minutes away from the station, Miyashita Koen is in an enviable location but it has seen more homeless moving in which has drawn complaints. "They even get pizza delivered" objects one local in the article. With the proposal under discussion, Nike will refurbish the two existing futsal courts, set up a skateboard park and outdoor cafe and also transfer the basketball court from nearby Mitake Koen. The basketball court was actually donated to that other park by Nike and Michael Jordan in 2004 but has not seen much usage because local residents complained about the noise. Objections to the plan come on many fronts. Some fear that calling it "Nike Park" sends a signal that it has become a dedicated sports park which may discourage other users. Others wonder why Shibuya can't use its own funds to renovate Miyashita Park, given that the ward has one of the largest budgets in Tokyo, and also ask where the homeless will be relocated. The park is readily visibly from the Yamanote line so another complaint is that the naming rights are being sold too cheaply for such a prime site.

[Captain Japan]

[Others wonder why Shibuya can't use its own funds to renovate Miyashita Park, given that the ward has one of the largest budgets in Tokyo, and also ask where the homeless will be relocated.

Is there a precedent for that? Generally parks get abandoned once they are established. Renovation? I can't even think of maintenance taking place.

[Greji]

- there's a Kleenex Stadium in Miyagi -

I thought that was a Love Hotel in Shibuya!:confused:

[Mulboyne]

There's a group calling itself the 宮下公園の改修計画問題を考える会 who have issued a call to arms here (Japanese).

They are appalled that such a high profile plan has been concocted behind the scenes. They object to turning a public space into a commercial space and even believe that there was insufficient debate about the original installation of the two futsal courts which they say ruined the park for casual users because it is too narrow for such facilities.

They are holding a meeting tomorrow at 7:00pm in room 1 of the 渋谷勤労福祉会館 (on the map here). Sounds like a job for the Tokyo Reporter.

[Captain Japan]

The basketball court was actually donated to that other park by Nike and Michael Jordan in 2004 but has not seen much usage because local residents complained about the noise.

There's a court donated by Nike, I think, up behind NHK Hall (between the track and field area and the Yoyogi outdoor theater). Is that the one? There are no residents for a 500m radius around that site. The court gets a pretty good turnout on Sunday afternoons.

[Mulboyne]

There's a court donated by Nike, I think, up behind NHK Hall (between the track and field area and the Yoyogi outdoor theater). Is that the one? There are no residents for a 500m radius around that site. The court gets a pretty good turnout on Sunday afternoons.

It's this one. Not far from the Pink Cow.

[Mulboyne]

Opponents of the Nike sponsorship plan have a blog (Japanese). They have posted an interview with a park manager who says that many of the items mentioned in the ZakZak article as settled have actually not been decided. Specifically, detailed discussions on the skateboard park, outdoor cafe etc have not been concluded. It does seem likely that a fence will be erected and the park locked at night in future - a measure which seems to target the homeless. The manager believes that nothing can be decided without a council meeting and September will probably be the earliest opportunity to raise the issues. However, becuase Miyashita Koen is not a new park, the town planning department need not be involved.

[Mulboyne]

[Mulboyne]

Global Voices has a piece in English on this issue here.

[GuyJean]

Japan must keep it's parks unique! Stunted trees, not tall. Dirt, not grass. Homeless, not children.. This is Japan! We have four seasons, fer Fuck-sake!

(Actually, I agree with the 'volunteers'... But 'volunteers'? Where are we? North Korea?)

GJ

[Mulboyne]

[Mulboyne]

Shibuya has sold naming rights to the toilet outside the ward office. Your lavatory experience is now brought to you courtesy of Amenity Network. They are paying 100,000 yen a year for three years. Shibuya plans to sell naming rights to a number of other facilities throughout the ward.

[Iraira]

Shibuya has sold naming rights to the toilet outside the ward office. Your lavatory experience is now brought to you courtesy of Amenity Network. They are paying 100,000 yen a year for three years. Shibuya plans to sell naming rights to a number of other facilities throughout the ward.

That's not so steep for one to pay to have a commode named after them. Anyone want to go in half or thirds on getting a toilet named in their honor?
Personally, I'd be happy to see some homeless guy washing his armpits in the IraIra Not-Yet Memorial Benjo and Electroshock Center.

[Mulboyne]

It's a done deal according to J-Cast. (Japanese). Opponents say on their blog that the decision was taken at 1:30pm yesterday. They are planning a demo tomorrow.

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[GuyJean]

That's Shibuya Park? I always thought it was the Shibuya homeless shelter. Isn't Tower Records off to the right of the photo? I've been in Japan too long...

GJ

[Mulboyne]

They are planning a demo tomorrow.

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[Mulboyne]

Nike has now unveiled some plans. "Miyashita Nike Park" will be ready by spring:

[Mulboyne]

Shibuya has sold naming rights to the toilet outside the ward office. Your lavatory experience is now brought to you courtesy of Amenity Network. They are paying 100,000 yen a year for three years. Shibuya plans to sell naming rights to a number of other facilities throughout the ward.

Yomiuri: Firm flushed with pride over toilet's new name

"Kuyakusho Mae Toire Shindanshi no Kawaya-do." So reads a large signboard that adorns the outer wall of a public lavatory located in an area crowded with live music venues, cafes and other buildings in Shibuya, Tokyo. The sign also sports an English translation that reads, "Kawaya-do of Toilet Diagnosis Expert," thus partly clarifying the purpose of the building--a public toilet maintained by experts, which in this case, happens to be situated in front of the Shibuya Ward Office. "Kawaya" is an old Japanese word for lavatory. Young women passing the signboard, looked up at it in surprise, saying, "What's this?"

The name was dreamed up by a lavatory maintenance company that bought the right to name the facility from the Shibuya Ward government. The original name of the lavatory was Shibuya Ward Municipal Lavatory in front of the Ward Office. The public toilet was among 14 such facilities that the ward office earmarked in January to be renamed. In April, Amenity Co., a Yokohama company that helps maintain lavatories, bought the right to rechristen the Shibuya lavatory. The firm deliberately refrained from putting its own name on the signboard. "They could have just written the word 'toilet,'" said an 18-year-old student as she took a photograph of the sign. "It's very innovative." A young man peered inside the lavatory and said, "I wonder if they'll charge us to use it?" "Why does it say 'diagnosis expert?' I don't get it," a 50-year-old taxi driver said.

The company has to come up with 100,000 yen each year for the naming-right contract, which is effective for three years. The company also pays expenses of about 2 million yen to remove stains and graffiti, apply stain-prevention agents and install automatic faucets and hand driers. "We believe the signboard will help us attract new clients by letting people know that we're toilet diagnosis experts and can maintain lavatories properly," a company official said. The ward government also welcomes the arrangement with the firm, which maintains the lavatory practically for free. "[The contract] is full of merit," Shibuya Ward Mayor Toshitake Kuwahara said. Kuwahara said the ward government expects to draw up contracts in connection with 11 other public lavatories.

The ward government is enthusiastic about the idea of renaming public facilities. In late August, Nike Japan won the right to rename Miyashita Park near JR Shibuya Station. From April, the park's name will become Miyashita Nike Park. The firm will spend about 400 million yen to set up a skateboarding area and rock climbing facilities. In 2006, Shibuya Public Hall was named Shibuya C.C. Lemon Hall. Baycube C Co., a Chiba-based naming-rights consultancy, said it had been dealing with an increasing number of inquiries from urban municipal governments in the past year, which may have been prompted by the Shibuya government's efforts. However, there has been little follow-through, the firm said.

A Shinjuku Ward official said, "Unlike Shibuya Public Hall, which attracts young people, all we have is a hall for classical music and ballet." When asked about smaller facilities such as lavatories, the official said, "We've never thought about it." The Shinagawa Ward Office had considered selling the naming rights to Shinagawa Aquarium, but abandoned the idea. "We've got many small and midsize companies in the ward, so it wouldn't be right to have big names slapped on the sides of public facilities," a Shinagawa Ward official said. The recession also has cast a shadow on the trend. Nissan Motor Co. has decided to terminate a renaming contract for Nissan Stadium in Yokohama, which was one of the first facilities named through the purchase of naming rights. The Yokohama municipal government started seeking a new sponsor Sept. 18 and has cut the contract fee from 470 million yen to 300 million yen.

[Behan]

Narita City was trying to sell the rights to one of its sport parks, but I don't know if there are any comers yet. The swimming pool inside the park looks like it had its name sold to a furniture company, though.

[Mulboyne]

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[Mulboyne]

CNNGo have an account of the whole affair here.

[TennoChinko]

Why not, in the interests of compromise, encase the homeless in concrete so that we can skateboard over them? (If I could use Photoshop, I would)

[Mulboyne]

Mainichi: Shibuya ward seals off park after citizens' group angered by Nike deal

A row between the local ward office and a citizens' group over the controversial purchase of a park in Tokyo's Shibuya by Nike for sports activities has led the ward office to close the park to the public. The ward recently sold the naming rights to Miyashita Park to sports maker Nike in a 10-year contract worth 17 million yen a year. Nike, which under the agreement will pay for park maintenance costs, plans to rename the park "Miyashita Nike Park" and intended to begin remodeling work in April, but has been forced to postpone those plans because of the citizens' group refusing to move from the park.

According to the ward, there are several homeless people living in the park as well as tents set up by the citizens' group. The ward has closed seven of the park's nine entrances and installed gates and guards on the other two to restrict entry. While calling for the removal of the tents, the ward is urging the homeless living there to enter support facilities. "The park in its current dilapidated state is an eyesore. The closing of the park was done as an emergency measure," a ward spokesperson said.

The citizens' group, which calls itself "The Coalition to Protect Miyashita Park from Becoming Nike Park," protests the renaming of the park; as well as what it says are Nike's plans to possibly install advertisements; Nike being given priority use over what is currently community space; and Nike holding the right to approve or deny what activities can be held in the park.

[IparryU]

Mainichi: Shibuya ward seals off park after citizens' group angered by Nike deal

maybe a big boy basket ball court? (not high school 3 point line)

maybe have more sports events there?

maybe have BBQ grills installed?

Oh please do Nike!

I hope Nike gets $ for the police not doing their job and getting all the people out.

[Mulboyne]

According to this account (Japanese) Nike has decided not to use their corporate name for the park even though they have acquired the right to do so.