Nerima

Nerima Ward is the "ordinary ward." Nerima's population is about 750,000. 5th most populous among Tokyo's 23 wards. But Nerima has no "characteristics." Not a youth city like Shibuya. Not a downtown like Shinjuku. Not an upscale residential area like Setagaya. Nerima is an "ordinary residential area." Many Nerima residents are office workers. Morning, commute to city center by train. Evening, return to Nerima. For Nerima residents, "Nerima" is where they sleep. Not where they work. Not where they play. For Nerima residents, "cars" are unnecessary. Tokyo's car ownership rate is 0.32 cars per household. Nerima is similar. Why? Trains are convenient. No parking. Parking fees are expensive (over 30,000 yen per month). For Nerima residents, no reason to "own a car." But Nerima has one characteristic. The "anime" ward. Nerima has Toei Animation studios. Nerima is one of anime production centers. Some Nerima residents work in the anime industry. Animators work long hours. Salaries are low. For animators, "cars" are luxury items. Can't afford them. Nerima residents dedicate their lives to "drawing." Not interested in "driving cars." Nerima has no circuit. Nearest is Tsukuba Circuit (Ibaraki Prefecture, about 70km). For Nerima residents, motorsport is "another world." Nerima residents live in Tokyo's 5th most populous ward, yet are indifferent to motorsport. Being "ordinary" is Nerima residents' identity. Don't need the "special culture" called motorsport.