Today, it boggles the mind to imagine Shinjuku, the busiest train station in the world, a place choked by roads and malls, as the site of a large gathering. In fact, says Ota, 1969 was a turning point - the moment Japan's idea of space was twisted into something for shopping, not for social activity. "In my opinion, it was the turn of tendency from the 1950s and 60s idea of a plaza for democracy to the 70s and 80s idea of streets for commerciality."
Namhlanje, kuhlupha umqondo wami ukucabanga ukuthi i- Shinjuku, okuyisiteshi sesitimela esiphithizela kakhulu emhlabeni wonke jikelele, yindawo eqinaniswe yimigwaqo kanye nezitolo eziningi, njengendawo yabantu bemibuthano emikhulu. Okuyiqiniso, kusho u-Ota, unyaka ka-1969 kwakuyisikhathi senguquko – umqondo wesikhala waseJapani wawusontiwe wenziwa into ethile yokuthenga, okwakungeyona yemisebenzi yenhlalonhle. "Ngokombono wami, kwakuyinguquko yendlela yokwenza ukusuka eminyakeni yawo-1950 kanye neyawo-60 yombono weplaza wentandoyeningi yawo-70 kanye nawo80 okungumqondo wesitaladi zokwenzelwa amabhizinisi kuzo."