When will Tsukiji Market relocate? Governor Koike: Earliest in one year

▲ Tsukiji Market will not relocate to Toyosu Market for at least another year. (Photo / Huang Shiyuan)

Travel Centre / Comprehensive Report

The relocation of Tsukiji Market, which has been delayed due to the discovery of soil contamination at the new site in Toyosu, has been a major concern for the public regarding the new timeline. Today, Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike announced during a press conference that after resolving the soil contamination issue, the market will relocate to Toyosu no earlier than one year from now — that is, by the end of 2017 or early 2018. However, if a new environmental impact assessment is needed, the relocation will be further delayed by another year.

Tokyo’s Tsukiji Market was originally scheduled to move to its new location and be renamed Toyosu Market on November 7. However, just before the move, it was revealed that the new Toyosu site had soil contamination issues, and harmful substances were also detected in the groundwater. Tokyo’s new Governor Yuriko Koike announced a delay in late September but did not specify when the relocation would occur. In a press meeting on the afternoon of the 18th, she stated that after resolving the soil contamination issue, the earliest the move could take place is in one year’s time. If a new environmental impact assessment is also required, the move will be delayed by another year. This marks the first time a more definite timeframe has been given since the postponement was announced.

However, vendors at Tsukiji Market have already made preparations for the relocation, and the delay will result in significant losses. According to estimates by the Tokyo Metropolitan Wholesale Fish Market Association, every month of delay will cost the industry 435 million yen. This includes personnel costs for new staff, electricity bills, maintenance costs for newly purchased vehicles, repair costs for aging equipment at Tsukiji Market, and maintenance expenses for facilities at Toyosu Market.