TBS has redeveloped a site in Tokyo’s historic Akasaka district into the multipurpose complex now known as Akasaka Sacas. The “Sacas” part of the name comes from the Japanese word sakasu, or “cause to bloom”. The idea is that the new development will cause a flowering of Akasaka’s cultural legacy, bringing TBS’s vision to fruition and happiness to everyone who visits.TBS has redeveloped a site in Tokyo’s historic Akasaka district into the multipurpose complex now known as Akasaka Sacas. The “Sacas” part of the name comes from the Japanese word sakasu, or “cause to bloom”. The idea is that the new development will cause a flowering of Akasaka’s cultural legacy, bringing TBS’s vision to fruition and happiness to everyone who visits.

The commercial area includes the TBS Broadcast Center and a 39-story building called Biz Tower, which houses nearly 50 shops and restaurants. It also contains a cultural area embracing the Akasaka ACT Theater for dramatic performances, Akasaka BLITZ for live musical performances and Akasaka Gallery for the visual arts. Finally, Akasaka The Residence will provide chic urban housing.

Over 1.07 million people came to Akasaka Sacas in the course of the 18-day festival that celebrated its grand opening. The first day of the festival featured 13 hours of live broadcasts delivered from a specially constructed stage. Daily live performances and Disney extravaganzas followed. The lively festival combined live broadcasts and entertainment, a temporary food court, and special offerings by the shops and restaurants in Biz Tower. The event was a huge success.

Since the festival, large numbers of people have been converging on Akasaka Sacas, mixing with the Biz Tower tenants and keeping the area hopping even on weekends.

Broadcasters measure their success by the numbers of viewers and listeners they attract, but they rarely have the opportunity to meet the people behind these numbers. Since its opening, Akasaka Sacas events have become a place where TBS and its viewers and listeners can come together and communicate.

TBS plans to make good use of these new opportunities to better understand our customers’ expectations and desires. Helping us get immediate feedback on our programming and seize the business opportunities that can emerge from our broadcasts, Akasaka Sacas is sure to become a great new focal point for local information and culture.