Potential Transformation of Urban Commercial Space: Dancing in Harajuku Pedestrian Zone

In prior research on urban commercial space, the potential of shoppers to influence shopping districts has not been well examined. How some teenagers danced in the Harajuku Pedestrian Zone is explored in this paper. Previous studies have centered on the commercial fashion industry or the consumerist structure which stirred shoppers to compete regarding elegance. These perspectives, however, cannot explain how the street dance started. How did the youngsters choose to dance there and how did their activities impact the shopping district? The focus of this paper is on the action of dancing and clarifies the kind of autonomy that was implemented through it. The teenagers’ dancing was a unique tactic to draw passersby attention while avoiding spending money at cafes and boutiques. Their action eventually loosened the competitive consumerist norm in Harajuku and created an urban space for performers who were not necessarily very sophisticated.