Koike studying reuse of Tsukiji site after market transfer

Koike studying reuse of Tsukiji site after market transfer

Tokyo Gov Yuriko Koike is exploring the options of converting the aging Tsukiji fish market to a different commercial facility before she makes a final decision on whether to go ahead with its planned relocation, sources close to the matter said Tuesday.

Tokyo Gov Yuriko Koike  Photo: AP

The metropolitan government originally planned to sell the site after the envisioned transfer to the nearby Toyosu waterfront district, but it is now studying the possibility of leasing the land, famous for its daily fish auctions, to private companies, one of the sources said.

On Tuesday, Koike received a report from a metropolitan government-appointed task force, which made proposals centering on the use of both the Tsukiji and Toyosu sites.

Upon receiving the report, the governor said the task force's proposals are innovative and she wants to make the most of the Tsukiji market's name recognition.

The Tokyo government had planned to sell the Tsukiji site to repay debt issued to finance the new market construction at Toyosu.

After becoming governor last August, Koike put on hold the planned transfer citing soil and air pollution concerns at the new site -- previously occupied by a gas production plant -- as well as mounting costs.

The governor is expected to make her final decision after holding a meeting over the market relocation with senior metropolitan officials later this week.

Her decision is likely to come before campaigning starts on June 23 for the metropolitan assembly election, slated for July 2. The market transfer is expected to be one of the major election issues.

Koike, who heads Tomin First no Kai (group that puts Tokyo residents first), is seeking to secure a majority in the 127-seat assembly through an alliance with the Komeito party and other political forces.

But she has drawn criticism from the Liberal Democratic Party, which holds the largest number of seats in the Tokyo assembly, for not moving the relocation project forward, with some LDP members calling her a "governor who cannot make a decision." She formerly belonged to the LDP.

The wholesale market, which also deals with fruit and vegetables, was originally scheduled to open at Toyosu last November. But toxic chemicals, including carcinogenic benzene at up to 100 times the government-set limit, have been detected there, raising concerns about food safety.

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