Machida

Machida City is the "border city." Machida is in Tokyo. But surrounded on three sides by Kanagawa Prefecture. For Machida residents, the question "Is Machida Tokyo? Kanagawa?" is an eternal theme. Machida's population is about 430,000. Many Machida residents insist "Machida is Tokyo." But Kanagawa residents think "Machida is Kanagawa." Machida residents have "identity confusion." For Machida residents, "hometown" is vague. Not "Tokyo." Not "Kanagawa." "Machida," a unique place. But that "Machida" has no characteristics. For Machida residents, "cars" are unnecessary. Trains are convenient. About 40 minutes to Shinjuku. About 30 minutes to Yokohama. For Machida residents, both "city center" and "Yokohama" are close. No reason to use cars. Machida has no circuit. Nearest is Fuji Speedway (Shizuoka Prefecture, about 70km). For Machida residents, motorsport is a "distant world." Machida residents live on the "border." Border between Tokyo and Kanagawa. But Machida residents feel they "belong to neither." Cultivating the "local culture" called motorsport is impossible. Because Machida residents don't have a clear concept of "hometown." Machida residents eternally continue to answer the question "Is Machida Tokyo? Kanagawa?" No time to think about motorsport.