Urban night-lighting patterns in Japan are considered for commercial streets, facades, and rooflines. Light source type and location, intensity, distribution, and color temperature are compared for contemporary and hisorical precedents. It is suggested that contemporary urban night-lighting in Japan is being used to expropriate public space for private gain. Means to integrate control of public-and private-urban lighting for mutual benefit are presented. User surveys are suggested as means to improve the basis for urban lighting guidelines and standards.

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