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What Tokyo looked like in the 1980s Through these Spectacular Photos

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During the 1980s, Tokyo experienced an economic boom, as its unemployment rate was only 4.9%, compared to higher numbers in the succeeding decade. The city also experienced a massive increase in urban land prices. High-rises and skyscrapers were built in business districts; large department stores surrounded by public squares thrived near mid-range railway stations. Modern concrete buildings gradually replaced old wooden houses in residential areas. Despite tight controls by the public authorities, the modernization process resulted in an unruly collection of skyscrapers that overwhelmed the city’s streets and exacerbated parking problems. During this era, anime and manga flourished and the television industry. As a result, the Japanese entertainment industry was a significant force to be reckoned with in years to come.

The following decade would see Japan’s economic decline substantially, giving rise to the Lost Decade’s name. During the 1980s, the birth rate in Japan continued to drop significantly, dropping from about 14 to about ten births per thousand. In the late 1980s, the aging of the population was already evident in the aging labor force and the shortage of young workers, which could impact employment practices, wages, benefits, and the role of women in the workforce.

Below are stunning photos that will take you back to the 1980s in Tokyo.

#5 The painter under the momiji, Tokyo, 1983

The painter under the momiji, Tokyo, 1983

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#10 Tsukiji market area, 1981

Tsukiji market area, 1981

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#11 People walk the Spain zaka in Shibuya, Tokyo, 1984

People walk the Spain zaka in Shibuya, Tokyo, 1984

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#12 People evacuate inundated area as Typhoon Judy hit, Tokyo, 1982

People evacuate inundated area as Typhoon Judy hit, Tokyo, 1982

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#13 The strange building with the “8” in front is Capsule Hotel Eight, located near the big Ueno railroad station in Tokyo.

The strange building with the "8" in front is Capsule Hotel Eight, located near the big Ueno railroad station in Tokyo.

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#14 A general view of the Nihon Gekijo, aka Nichigeki Theatre, is seen prior to its closure, Tokyo, 1981

A general view of the Nihon Gekijo, aka Nichigeki Theatre, is seen prior to its closure, Tokyo, 1981

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#15 Portrait of a geisha (maiko), Tokyo, 1982

Portrait of a geisha (maiko), Tokyo, 1982

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#20 Girl in kimono, Tokyo, 1983

Girl in kimono, Tokyo, 1983

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#21 Japanese young women in kimono, Tokyo, 1983

Japanese young women in kimono, Tokyo, 1983

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#25 Tokyo street scenes, 1983

Tokyo street scenes, 1983

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#30 Ikebukuro area, 1981

Ikebukuro area, 1981

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#35 Tokyo Aerial, 1980s

Tokyo Aerial, 1980s

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#40 Tsukiji market, 1981

Tsukiji market, 1981

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#42 A general view on day fifteen of the Grand Sumo Autumn Tournament at Kuramae Kokugikan, Tokyo, 1984

A general view on day fifteen of the Grand Sumo Autumn Tournament at Kuramae Kokugikan, Tokyo, 1984

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#43 An Arakawa line tram approaches to Machiya Station, Tokyo, 1984

An Arakawa line tram approaches to Machiya Station, Tokyo, 1984

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#45 Shinkansen train at a station in Tokyo, 1984

Shinkansen train at a station in Tokyo, 1984

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#46 Endan (Metro) Ginza line train approaches to Shibuya Staiton, Tokyo, 1983

Endan (Metro) Ginza line train approaches to Shibuya Staiton, Tokyo, 1983

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#50 School children show off their calligraphies 1/5 in a New Year’s brush-writing contest attended by nearly 5,000 kindergarten tots to grown-up adults at Tokyo’s Budokan Hall.

School children show off their calligraphies 1/5 in a New Year's brush-writing contest attended by nearly 5,000 kindergarten tots to grown-up adults at Tokyo's Budokan Hall.

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#55 Ginza shopping district is seen, Tokyo, 1984

Ginza shopping district is seen, Tokyo, 1984

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#56 An Arakawa line tram approaches to Machiya Station, Tokyo, 1984

An Arakawa line tram approaches to Machiya Station, Tokyo, 1984

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#57 Travelers waiting for the train at Ueno station in Tokyo, 1984

Travelers waiting for the train at Ueno station in Tokyo, 1984

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#58 Street restaurants in the Shinjuku district of Tokyo, 1984

Street restaurants in the Shinjuku district of Tokyo, 1984

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#59 Advertising posters in the Shinjuku district of Tokyo, 1984

Advertising posters in the Shinjuku district of Tokyo, 1984

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#60 Traffic in Tokyo, 1984

Traffic in Tokyo, 1984

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#64 The Ferris Wheel of Yomiuri Land is seen, Tokyo, 1981

The Ferris Wheel of Yomiuri Land is seen, Tokyo, 1981

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#65 Runners start on day one of the 57th Hakone Ekiden, Tokyo, 1981

Runners start on day one of the 57th Hakone Ekiden, Tokyo, 1981

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#66 Competitors of Tokyo International Women’s Marathon, 1980s

Competitors of Tokyo International Women's Marathon, 1980s

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#67 Marunouchi Business District

Marunouchi Business District

A general view of the Marunouchi business district, Tokyo, 1980s

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#70 People visit Shibamata Taishakuten temple, Tokyo, 1982

People visit Shibamata Taishakuten temple, Tokyo, 1982

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#75 Asakusabashi, Tokyo, 1983

Asakusabashi, Tokyo, 1983

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#80 The sumo hair bun, Tokyo, 1983

The sumo hair bun, Tokyo, 1983

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#84 A general view on day fifteen of the Grand Sumo Autumn Tournament at Kuramae Kokugikan, Tokyo, 1984

A general view on day fifteen of the Grand Sumo Autumn Tournament at Kuramae Kokugikan, Tokyo, 1984

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#85 Hibiya Theater Street, 1984

Hibiya Theater Street, 1984

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#86 The Hibiya Theater and Yuraku-za Theater are seen, Tokyo, 1984

The Hibiya Theater and Yuraku-za Theater are seen, Tokyo, 1984

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#89 Emperor And Empress Visit Hachijojima And Miyakejima Islands, 1982

Emperor And Empress Visit Hachijojima And Miyakejima Islands, 1982

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#90 Cars run at Shuto Expressway No.6 near Nihonbashi Kakigaracho area, Tokyo, 1983

Cars run at Shuto Expressway No.6 near Nihonbashi Kakigaracho area, Tokyo, 1983

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#91 A slope next to Ebisu Station falls as Typhoon Judy hit, Tokyo, 1982

A slope next to Ebisu Station falls as Typhoon Judy hit, Tokyo, 1982

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#92 People evacuate inundated area as Typhoon Judy hit, Tokyo, 1982

People evacuate inundated area as Typhoon Judy hit, Tokyo, 1982

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#93 People evacuate inundated area as Typhoon Judy hit, Tokyo, 1982

People evacuate inundated area as Typhoon Judy hit, Tokyo, 1982

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#95 A Man Fires Gun at Tokyo Detention Center, 1981

A Man Fires Gun at Tokyo Detention Center, 1981

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#96 Ginza on Broadway; The signs on Broadway near Bellview Avenue, 1981

Ginza on Broadway; The signs on Broadway near Bellview Avenue, 1981

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#98 View of a crossroads from the terrace of a restaurant in Tokyo, 1981.

View of a crossroads from the terrace of a restaurant in Tokyo, 1981.

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#99 In the Imperial Reserve ‘Shinama’, the Spanish Kings Juan Carlos and Sofia and the Crown Princes Akihito and Michiko loose some pigeons, Tokyo, 1980.

In the Imperial Reserve 'Shinama', the Spanish Kings Juan Carlos and Sofia and the Crown Princes Akihito and Michiko loose some pigeons, Tokyo, 1980.

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#100 Jewellery Shop Front in Tokyo, 1980s

Jewellery Shop Front in Tokyo, 1980s

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#101 Billboards and Pedestrians with Umbrellas on Tokyo Street, 1980s

Billboards and Pedestrians with Umbrellas on Tokyo Street, 1980s

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Husband + Father + librarian + Poet + Traveler + Proud Buddhist. I love you with the breath, the smiles and the tears of all my life.

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