Under Shibuya ward Mayor Ken Hasebe's leadership, Shibuya launched the graffiti removal drive in fiscal 2021, erasing nearly 12,000 square meters of graffiti over three years. But challenges remained. The project faced delays in obtaining permission to clean up private property. In some cases, it took about a month to get started. "Even after taking the time to clean up, we often found ourselves caught in a game of cat and mouse, with new graffiti appearing shortly afterwards," said Takuya Yoshizawa from the ward's environmental maintenance division. Six months into the new volunteer program for graffiti removal, more than 20 groups, including schools, companies, and volunteer organizations, have joined the effort. Tokyu Community, part of the Tokyu Fudosan Holdings group, engaged in redevelopment projects in Shibuya, has embraced the initiative to demonstrate its commitment to contribute to the local community. At its peak, graffiti in Shibuya covered an estimated 23,000 square meters, hindering the ward's ambition to become a "mature international city."