An article from last year Herald Tribute about the new plan of Shimokitazawa which will make one of the most unique area of Tokyo look just like all the others.Nowadays, people like big streets, big shopping malls with many lights. Everything is visible, everything is  known. So let’s erase  a spontaneous place, the only place where everyday, every night there are people singing in the streets. I think one can easily feel that this happens because it is a free place, not a real estate developer project.
Not many seem to think this way. At least not those who have power, those who show a dazzling ignorance: so let’s all go to Roppongi!

Interesting that is not a city of one of the supposed G-8 leading country to enforce a radical policy against public space advertisement.
article

Tokyo is a different city that uses different strategies.
First part is about metro ads.

An interesting article about tokyo metro station ads.

can you name all the brands? if you can something is wrong in you.

here an article about the right of commercial advertising in public space.

qui un intervento sugli stessi contenuti di beppe grillo

In 2011 the new To kyo tower will be completed. Project by Tadao Ando and sculptor Kiichi Sumikawa.