INDEX
Tokyo’s attractiveness is due to the large number of permanent residents.
Takano: Also, you spent time in England and Italy, so about one-third of your life was spent overseas?
Ueno: That’s right.
Takano: Now that you have chosen Tokyo as your place of work, what is the reason for that?
Ueno: Originally, in the world of architecture, Japan is said to be at the cutting edge. In fact, I thought it was very interesting even when I was in England. The two people who run the office with me now are quite interesting and strange people, and I had the chance to meet them about 10 years ago, which made me think about setting up a base in Tokyo and working together with them.
Celeina: Yes, like Max-san from yesterday, you have friends in Japan and you worked together with them, and that’s how you came to live in Japan.
Ueno: Yes. I think friends are quite a big factor.
Takano: I think that living abroad may change the way we see Tokyo.
Ueno: I think about this a lot, but compared to other international cities, Tokyo has more permanent residents. In London, for example, there are many people who come here in their 20s and leave. This is partly because there are many universities in the area, but recently land prices have gone up too much, and once the student years are over, creators cannot afford to live here. I feel that if this happens, culture will gradually disappear. I think Tokyo is very attractive because such a phenomenon does not occur very often.
Celeina: I had never thought about it.
Takano: I guess it is your unique point of view.
Celeina: What do you find attractive about Tokyo, other than the environment in which you live, both in Japan and abroad? It could be the food, for example.
Ueno: Food, of course (laughs). (laughs). Max-san said yesterday that Tokyo is the best place in the world. The other thing is the proximity to Asia. During the past two months, I have had the opportunity to visit China on a business trip and Europe on a private trip, and I find the current culture in China very interesting, and I think it is very attractive to have easy access to such places.
Celeina: It is true that China is growing rapidly and changing rapidly.
Takano: That is one way of looking at it. Now, I asked Ueno-san to choose a song that he would like everyone to listen to together on the radio at this time. What song would it be?
Ueno: It’s called “Trees Among Shrubs” by Men I Trust. The melody itself is very dreamy, but the lyrics are a little sad.
Takano: Thank you very much. Let’s listen to the song.
