The Paradox of Tokyo’s Night-time Economy: An After-Effects of the Pandemic or a Deeper Cultural Shift?

Located in Shinjuku’s Kabukicho, the Tokyu Kabukicho Tower has been a beacon for Tokyo’s nighttime economy since its inauguration. However, the recent comments by Tokyo’s governor about managing the nocturnal gatherings of students and homeless people in the tower’s plaza has spurred a pertinent question — Has the Japanese nightlife truly recovered in the post-pandemic era?

Following the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020, numerous 24-hour fast-food and café chains curtailed their operating hours. Even as restrictions eased, as of June this year, major chain Izakayas had restored less than 80% of their pre-pandemic operational hours, dating back to June 2019. Iconic 24-hour establishments, like McDonald’s in Shibuya, now close as early as 10 PM. Shinjuku, another city that never sleeps, has seen similar patterns, with most shops pulling down their shutters by 11 PM. This change isn’t exclusive to the food industry — the once round-the-clock post office windows now wrap up by 9 PM. Concurrently, several bus operators, including Tokyu, Keio, and Kokusai Kogyo, that famously ran night-time long-distance services have announced reductions or terminations in anticipation of the new labor time calculation commencing next April.