Large-scale music arena to open in Yokohama's bay district

YOKOHAMA, Sep 23 (NHK) - A large-scale arena specifically for music events is set to open next week in Yokohama's bay district, near Tokyo.

K-Arena Yokohama was shown on Friday to members of the media ahead of its opening on September 29.

The arena, located in the bay district called "Minato Mirai," has 20,000 seats that are spread out like a fan from the stage. The management company says the music arena is one of the largest of its kind in the world.

Company Chairman Sato Shigeru says that the company created the arena in the hopes of making Yokohama an entertainment city, and that he wants people to experience powerful sounds at the arena.

Japanese music duo Yuzu, which has close ties with the city, will perform on the first three days. The city will hold various events to coincide with Yuzu's performance to revitalize the bay district.

Yokohama Mayor Yamanaka Takeharu says he hopes that many people will take the arena's opening as an opportunity to visit Yokohama.

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