A total of 32 shops located along a street, Denboin-dori, beside Sensoji Temple in Asakusa might be facing possible eviction.
Denboin-dori (Demboin Street) runs in front of the Denboin Temple, which is neighboring to Sensoji Temple, has many decades-old family operated shops.
The Edo-era Japanese style shops sell traditional Japanese products like fans, hair combs, clothing and souvenirs which are mostly handmade.
The local government claims they are illegal establishments and they land is public land.
The shop owners claim they were given permission decades ago, but the government can’t seem to find any records of such claims.
The Association for Business Prosperity on Asakusa Denboin-dori has started a petition in May in attempt to keep the livelihoods of the shop owners.