Why Businesses In Japantown Are Thriving In The Recession

The success of San Jose’s Japantown could easily be made into a case study to be taught in business schools. While big and small businesses are reeling under the recession, this small business district is thriving. And the reason: the businesses operating out of Japantown always had strong ties with the local community that mutually supports each other. In fact, they try not to have unnecessary competition among themselves, and believe that they depend on each other for survival. The locals too have rallied behind them by being loyal customers to these mom-and-pop stores and helping support the district’s commercial infrastructure.

Mercury News quotes Kathy Sakamoto, the head of Japantown’s business association:

The reason we have new businesses and residents moving in is because they like this synergy. We need each other. We all grumble and gripe, but there’s also this appreciation of every moment you feel around here, and that’s partly Buddhist, I think. As the world gets more complex, people want that resting point, and they find it here in Japantown.

Japantown San Jose

Mercury News: “San Jose’s Japantown bucks the recession”