CRITERIA FOR HISTORICAL DESIGNATION. >>> THIS MONTH AS WE ARE OBSERVING THE AMERICAN ASIAN AND ASIAN AMERICAN PACIFIC ISLANDERS HISTORY, WE GO TO LITTLE TOKYO THE PRESERVE THE HISTORY. >> Reporter: CHRISTIAN SAYS THAT LITTLE TOKYO MAY LOOK LIKE A THRIVING CULTURAL HUB FILLED WITH CUES ABOUT THE JAPANESE EXPERIENCE IN LOS ANGELES VISITED DAILY BY DROVES OF TOURIST, AND IT IS ALL GREAT, BUT THE LOOKS -- >> WE SAY THAT THE BUILDINGS ARE PROTECTED BUT NOT THE FOLKS INSIDE. >> Reporter: AND THEY CAN BE DECEIVING, BECAUSE AS MANAGER OF THE LITTLE TOKYO COMMUNITY CENTER, SHE IS WITNESSING A DISTURBING TREND. >> THEY WERE EVICTED BY THE LANDLORD. >> Reporter: UNDERSCORED BY SMALL BUSINESS DEPARTURES. AND THIS LITTLE CAFE HERE WHICH RELOCATED AFTER FIGHTING A BATTLE FOR EVICTION AND HAVING TO PAY HIGHER RATES AND TENANTS NOT TO RETURN LIKE THIS RESTAURANT. >> IT IS THE PRESSURES FACING LITTLE TOKYO. >> Reporter: BUT RESIDENTS ARE LEAVING UNABLE TO AFFORD THE RAPIDLY RISING RENTS, AND THE FAMILY ROOTS HERE GO BACK GENERATIONS. >> HOW DO WE COME BACK TO THE HOMES IF WE, OURSELVES, ARE PRICED OUT. >> Reporter: THIS IS ONE OF THE 11 MOST ENDANGERED PLACES. THIS IS A LIST RELEASED AMONG THE ANNUAL PRESERVATION ASSOCIATION. AND THIS IS A PLACE THAT MANY OF THE RESIDENTS WERE FORCED IN INCARCERATION AFTER WORLD WAR II. HOW THE AREA KEEP RESIDENTS FROM FLEEING AND LEGACY BUSINESSES THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN AROUND FOR 20 OR MORE YEARS. >> WELL, MAYBE WE NEED TO OWN OUR OWN LAND, BUT THE LAND IS EXPENSIVE. >> Reporter: AND THE REVITALIZATION IS A BLESSING A AND CURSE SAY THE LEADERS, BECAUSE IT IS PUSHING OUT THE GUARDIANS OF WHO HAS MADE THIS PLACE SO SPECIAL. THE FOLKS WHO SEE LITTLE TOKYO AS A CULTURAL GEM THAT NEEDS TO BE PROTECTED, BECAUSE OF THE CITY'S ABILITY TO DO SO ONLY GOES SO FAR. >> PEOPLE WANT SPACES LIKE THIS TO EXIST AND THEY HAVE A DEEP MEANING FOR THEM. >> Reporter: LITTLE TOKYO IS ONE OF THE THREE J-TOWNS LEFT IN CALIFORNIA AND TO LOSE IT SAY THE COMMUNITY LEADERS WOULD BE A TRAGEDY FOR THE CITY AS A WHOLE. WHAT CAN YOU DO? CHRISTIAN SAYS TO SHOP THE SMALL BUSINESSES HERE OR PATRONIZE THE CULTURAL CITIES LIKE THE JAPANESE AMERICAN CULTURAL NATIONAL MUSEUM AND RECOGNIZE THAT JUST BECAUSE IT AS A HISTORICAL DESIGNATION IT DOES
