LOS ANGELES, Calif. — The National Trust for Historic Preservation designated Little Tokyo one of eleven of America's most endangered historic places.
Many legacy businesses in Little Tokyo, including Rafu Bussan, Inc., which opened following World War II, have moved, gone out of business, faced rent hikes, been evicted, or struggled to stay afloat "partly because of gentrification and the real estate boom downtown and with the coming of the metro lines," says Rafu Bussan's Carol Tanita.
Kristin Fukushima of the Little Tokyo Community Council has been working with community stakeholders to embrace change will working to ensure continued self-determination for the historic community