Akihabara was a symbol of Japan's economic growth after the war.
2016/03/27
Japan enjoyed a period of high prosperity from 1955 to 1965. The phrase "Sanshuno Jingi," literally the "three ornaments of God," became popular around this time. They referred to television sets, refrigerators and washing machines, which were the three home appliances most coveted by the housewives at that time.
From then onward, more and more shops began selling electrical goods in Akihabara. The start of the rapid economic growth era added more items to those being sold. However, such things as color TV sets, stereo equipment and air conditioners were not easily affordable for the average household. Those items, displayed at Akihabara stores, became the objects of admiration of ordinary people.
Young people started coming to Akihabara in the 1980's when Nintendo started selling its videogame console on the market. With the vast popularity of the device, more and more shops started selling game software for it. During the New Year holidays, Akihabara started to draw many young customers with pocket money. There still are many game software shops in Akihabara.
In 1995, when Windows 95 went on sale, Akihabara entered the computer age. Shops selling PCs and PC parts sprang up. With an increasing number of customers shopping for PC-related items, sales in that sector grew faster than the sales of home electric goods.
From then on Akihabara also became known as a "computer town" throughout Japan.
Source:ISBN10-4876151725