Full-scale construction work finally began Tuesday at a controversial Nike-sponsored park in Shibuya Ward, Tokyo, after a delay of nearly one year due to problems involving the relocation of homeless people and protests against leasing public space to a private business.
Prior to the showdown, officials accompanied by police last month built fences around the park, tore out the tents of homeless people and threw out their belongings.
Apart from the homeless, representatives of the Coalition to Protect Miyashita Park From Becoming Nike Park say the favorite spot for rallies and demonstrations [including the popular March in March] is becoming commercialized.