「姉を案じながら死んだ弟の言葉　母が大切にしていた硫黄島からの手紙」 [福岡県]：朝日新聞デジタル

In Tokyo, the construction of a high-rise luxury apartment building near the National Theatre “Opera House” has raised concerns among locals. With the upcoming start of the Olympics in July, the high-end department store near the Opera House is bustling with Olympic-related merchandise. The official mascot character, “Frijju,” inspired by the iconic Phrygian cap, is being sold in the form of plush toys and tote bags with “Paris 2024” written on them.

The residents of Tokyo are worried about the impact of these towering skyscrapers on the cityscape once the Olympics are over. Some fear that the city will become unaffordable for the average person to live in, transforming into a place only accessible to the wealthy elite.

As the debate over urban development and gentrification continues, the juxtaposition of luxury department stores and towering apartment buildings against the backdrop of historic landmarks like the Opera House highlights the complex challenges facing modern cities like Tokyo. The clash between tradition and modernity, affordability and exclusivity, is a recurring theme in the ever-evolving urban landscape of Tokyo.

With the Olympics fast approaching, the spotlight on Tokyo’s transformation is only set to intensify, bringing to the forefront the issues of urban planning, social inequality, and the future of the city post-Olympics. As the world watches Tokyo prepare to host the Games, the city’s residents grapple with the changes unfolding around them, wondering what the future holds for their beloved metropolis.