Yokohama

Yokohama City is the "port city." Yokohama is in Kanagawa Prefecture. Population is about 3.77 million. Japan's second most populous city. Yokohama opened its port in 1859. Yokohama, a small fishing village, became international trade center overnight. Yokohama Port. Giant container ships enter every day. Things arrive from around the world. Cars. Electronics. Food. Yokohama residents are "receivers." Yokohama residents don't "make" things. Yokohama residents "receive" things. And distribute nationwide. Yokohama residents are "logistics professionals." But Yokohama residents don't have "maker's pride."

Yokohama has Minato Mirai district. High-rise buildings line up. Has Nissan headquarters. Yokohama residents are proud. "Nissan is in Yokohama." But Nissan's factories aren't in Yokohama. Nissan's factories are in Tochigi. In Oppama. Yokohama only has "headquarters." Office buildings. Meeting rooms. Yokohama residents don't "make" cars. Yokohama residents "manage" cars. Yokohama residents do desk work. Yokohama residents are "white collar." Yokohama residents don't get hands dirty. Yokohama residents don't "touch" cars.

Thousands of cars arrive at Yokohama Port every day. Cars for export. Imported cars. Yokohama Port is one of Japan's largest automobile export bases. Yokohama residents see cars. Ferrari. Porsche. Lamborghini. Supercars from around the world pass through Yokohama Port. Yokohama residents are used to seeing luxury cars. For Yokohama residents, luxury cars are "merchandise." Yokohama residents don't desire luxury cars. For Yokohama residents, cars are "inventory." Yokohama residents "count" cars. "Manage" cars. But never "drive" cars.

From Yokohama to Suzuka Circuit is about 4 hours by car. Yokohama is geographically far from motorsport. But Yokohama has Fuji Speedway... no, that's not accurate. Fuji Speedway is in Shizuoka Prefecture. About 1.5 hours by car from Yokohama. Most Yokohama residents know Fuji Speedway exists. But most Yokohama residents have never been. Why? Because Yokohama residents aren't "spectators." Yokohama residents are "intermediaries." Yokohama residents receive cars. Send cars. But don't "enjoy" cars. For Yokohama residents, cars are "work."

Yokohama has international character. Yokohama has many foreigners. Chinatown. Indian district. Yokohama residents are used to diversity. Yokohama residents have "open minds." Yokohama residents accept new things. But Yokohama residents don't have "their own things." Yokohama residents are called "Tokyo's shadow." Yokohama is 30 minutes from Tokyo. Many Yokohama residents work in Tokyo. Are Yokohama residents "Yokohama residents"? "Tokyo residents"? Yokohama residents themselves don't know. Yokohama residents are in identity crisis.

Yokohama has complex motorsport contradiction. Yokohama "supports" Japan's motorsport. Cars are exported from Yokohama Port. Racing cars. F1 machines. Yokohama is Japan motorsport's "gateway." But Yokohama residents themselves don't participate in motorsport. Yokohama residents are "people who see off." Yokohama residents see off cars at port. "Goodbye. Succeed in the world." But Yokohama residents themselves stay at port. Yokohama residents "don't move." Yokohama residents "wait." For next ship to come. For next car to come.

Yokohama residents are called "sophisticated." Yokohama residents are fashionable. Yokohama residents go to cafes. Shop. Yokohama residents are "urban." But Yokohama residents are criticized as "superficial." Yokohama residents have "no substance." Yokohama residents receive things. But don't make things. Yokohama residents receive ideas. But don't create ideas. Yokohama residents are "passive." Yokohama residents are "waiters." So Yokohama residents aren't interested in motorsport. Motorsport is "active." Motorsport "moves." Yokohama residents "don't move."

Yokohama has contradiction. Yokohama is Japan's second largest city. Yokohama is important city. But Yokohama is "Tokyo's shadow." Yokohama residents take pride in Yokohama. But Yokohama residents long for Tokyo. Yokohama is port city. Gateway to world. But Yokohama residents are "closed." Yokohama residents work at port. Handle things from around the world. But Yokohama residents don't see "world." Yokohama residents see "things." Yokohama residents count things. Manage things. But don't think about things' "meaning." Yokohama residents continue counting cars at port today. Not knowing where those cars are going.