Japanese graffiti artists skirt constraints

Tokyo

BENEATH the crackle and hum of Japan's neon veneer, graffiti culture has traditionally been viewed as mindless vandalism assaulting the country's highly valued sense of order and cleanliness.

Tokyo's lanes are virtually bare of the edgy street art - common in other major cities - that has brought global fame to guerrilla icons such as Banksy, JR and the late Keith Haring.