Kabukicho, known as Japan's red-light district of freedom, is a place where runaways, neglected and abused at home and school, seek refuge. However, they are likely subjected to sexual assaults, drug abuse, and violent deaths. These youths, known as "Toyoko kids," gather in the plaza at night, identifiable by their black T-shirts, short skirts, and brightly dyed hair. Their nights are filled with chatting, drinking, and playing games, creating a unique social phenomenon that blends Kabukicho's world of alcohol and sex with teenage life.
The "Toyoko kids" represent a marginalized class of Japanese youth, grappling with personal challenges both at school and at home—struggles that have been intensified by the recent epidemic. While society's focus has shifted to the unemployed, the elderly, and low-income families, these teenagers are left to navigate their emotions alone. Seen as the "parasites" of Kabukicho, their presence is largely unnoticed in the district's already vibrant atmosphere.
This project aims to offer these overlooked youths an educational and therapeutic environment, along with basic living conditions, allowing them to coexist within Kabukicho rather than be consumed by it.
"You’re the toughest 15-year-old on the planet."- Haruki Murakami, Kafka on the Shore