Tokyo's Fish Market in a Fix

Tokyo depends on a giant fish market for its daily fish supply, and the market, Tsukiji Shijo, is right now hanging midair whether to ever move its new site already built in near Toyosu.

The new-elected Governor Koike of Tokyo announced last week that her administration has decided not to move to Toyosu as previously scheduled in November 7. Over 570 intermediary fish dealers' union met the press September 7 to appeal anxieties and demand an early feedback from the metropolitan government as to the exact date of relocation to minimize damages.

Governor Koike had stated that the relocation schedule is premature due to incomplete survey data on the safety of water for consumption at Kiyosu and resolved not to move the market to Toyosu unless the requirements are properly met.

In the press conference September 7, Chairman Junnichi Ito of the Tokyo Fish Market Wholesalers Corporation told the press thus:

"All of us members are shocked by the government's decision to halt relocation after having 'resolved to move' over the years.

"How much damage done by the change of plan is unknown at this stage. We'll work that out as soon as we learn the details of future plans.

"We only wish the metropolitan government will soonest decide exactly when we do relocate. The problem is the matter of safety and security of water supply in Kiyosu, and we expect Governor Koike to officially declare a declaration of safety."

One of the difficulties involved in connection with the fish market issue is that Governor Koike was steadfast in her position on freedom of information throughout her election campaign pledging to reexamine the "backstage dealings" of this fish market issue along with the issues the 2020 Olympic /Paralympic.

Whatever the background, the Tsukiji problem is related direct to the livelihood of the citizens and must be resolved first and foremost with safety and security in mind. (Nathan Shiga)