KANAGAWA, Dec 08 (News On Japan) –
Kamakura City, recognized internationally because the setting for the hit anime “SLAM DUNK,” plans to halt the issuance of its widespread native license plates on the finish of January 2026, elevating debate amongst residents who query why a design lengthy cherished by locals have to be discontinued.
The plate contains a calm Shonan shoreline with the retro Enoden prepare operating previous a railway crossing, a scene impressed by the view close to Kamakura High School Mae Station as seen from the slope main all the way down to the seaside. Since the town launched the design for motorized bicycles in 2014, it has been a well-known sight throughout city. Chosen via a public competitors from 91 submissions, the crossing motif stays the overwhelming favourite, chosen by about 70 p.c of candidates final fiscal 12 months regardless of the choice of a plain plate.
Kamakura City’s determination to finish issuance of the design stems from its ongoing wrestle with overtourism, notably across the anime-famous railway crossing. As the “SLAM DUNK” growth drew giant numbers of holiday makers from China and elsewhere, the realm turned a hotspot for harmful conduct, together with vacationers standing contained in the crossing to movie, posing in the course of the street, and even dribbling basketballs on the roadway earlier than leaping out for pictures.
The crossing depicted on the license plate had, in impact, change into an emblem of the town’s overtourism drawback. Matsui Yoshitaka, head of the town’s municipal tax division, defined that persevering with to distribute the plates may very well be interpreted as the town actively attracting guests to Kamakura High School Mae Station. He added that though residents had not requested the halt, some would possibly really feel uncomfortable given the long-running nuisance points, prompting the town to droop the design as a precaution.
The identical crossing illustration had appeared on metropolis worker enterprise playing cards however was changed with a kabuto helmet design for related causes.
Even so, many residents are unconvinced. Some query whether or not stopping the license plates will meaningfully ease crowding, noting that the variety of Chinese guests has already declined amid strained bilateral relations. When reporters visited the positioning on December fifth, vacationers had been current however now not spilling onto the street as in previous years, and most stayed behind fences or on sidewalks.
Opinions amongst locals stay divided. Some consider discontinuation is acceptable as a result of the town didn’t take enough motion when congestion was at its worst, leaving residents pissed off by littering and unsafe conduct. Others say the design serves as a type of hometown promotion that ought to be preserved, calling the transfer pointless throughout a interval of relative calm.
Matsui emphasised that halting distribution of the design won’t by itself resolve overtourism, however stated the town goals to create a extra balanced relationship between residents and guests. Kamakura intends the suspension to be non permanent and says it is going to contemplate reinstating the crossing design as soon as the overtourism situation has been resolved.
Source: FNN