Sports

Tsukiji Market Site to Transform into 50,000-Seat Stadium

TOKYO, Apr 23 (News On Japan) - The site of the former Tsukiji Market is set for a major transformation, including a stadium with a capacity of 50,000 people and a launch pad for flying cars.

The Tsukiji Market, which closed in 2018 after 83 years of operation, will see its site redeveloped according to plans revealed recently. Last week, Tokyo announced that a consortium of 11 companies, including Mitsui Real Estate and the Yomiuri Shimbun Group, has been selected to handle the redevelopment, with the project expected to cost about 900 billion yen.

The centerpiece of the redevelopment plan is a covered multi-purpose stadium capable of accommodating 50,000 spectators. This stadium is planned to host baseball and soccer matches, as well as concerts. Additionally, the development will include commercial facilities, hotels, and residential buildings.

Moreover, the plan includes a landing pad for "flying cars" within the site.

Local residents and sports fans are excited about the prospects. One avid Hanshin Tigers fan expressed enthusiasm about potentially watching baseball at the new site, hoping the legacy of Tsukiji's culture will be preserved alongside the introduction of new innovations.

The 19-hectare market site, owned by Tokyo, has been open for public bidding since November two years ago.

Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike highlighted the significance of the project: "Utilizing this vast area is crucial for showcasing the future of Tokyo."

Addressing rumors about the Yomiuri Giants potentially moving their home base to the new stadium in Tsukiji, Governor Koike noted that specifics are still being finalized.

The developers aim to begin construction in the fiscal year 2025, with hopes to inaugurate the complex in the early 2030s.

Source: TBS

Thousands Clash in Aichi’s Naked Festival

Aichi’s famed Konomiya Hadaka Festival took place on February 10th at Konomiya Shrine in Inazawa City, where men clad in only fundoshi loincloths clashed in a frenzied struggle. The traditional event, which has continued for over 1,200 years, centers around the ‘Shin Otoko’ or ‘Sacred Man,’ chosen by lottery, whom participants believe will cleanse them of misfortune if they manage to touch him.

Japan to Release Emergency Rice Reserves Amid Rising Prices

Rice prices in Japan continue to rise, despite the government’s plan to release emergency reserves in an effort to stabilize the market. A bowl of tendon, topped with freshly fried tempura, is incomplete without steaming hot rice, but the cost of this staple has been steadily increasing.

Avalanche Strikes Tsuchiyu Onsen in Fukushima

An avalanche occurred around noon on Monday along a prefectural road in Fukushima City, leaving two hot spring inns isolated once again due to record snowfall.

USJ Ticket Buyers to Receive Expo Admission

With just two months remaining until the opening of the Osaka-Kansai Expo, new initiatives are being introduced to enhance visitor convenience.

Foreign Tourists Spend Record 8.1 Trillion Yen in Japan

Foreign tourists spent a record 8.1 trillion yen in Japan last year, an amount equivalent to the cost of building 203 Tokyo Skytree towers. As Japan continues to attract visitors from around the world, many are curious about where this money goes and the financial backgrounds of those spending it.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Sports NEWS

Experts Discuss the Future of Japan’s Professional Baseball

A discussion on the future of Japanese professional baseball was held with three prominent business figures: Kohei Takashima, Yozo Tachibana, and Takafumi Horie.

Can eSports Save Sapporo's Struggling Dome?

A major international eSports tournament has kicked off in Sapporo, drawing significant attention as a potential economic boost for the city. The five-day event, held at the Daiwa House Plemist Dome in Toyohira Ward, is expected to attract around 30,000 spectators.

Sumo wrestler Hoshoryu becomes yokozuna grand champion

Mongolian-born sumo wrestler Hoshoryu has been promoted to the sport's top rank of yokozuna grand champion. He became the first newly promoted grand champion in three and a half years. (NHK)

Kobayashi Shines at Osaka International Women's Marathon

A new heroine was born at the 2025 Osaka International Women's Marathon, as Kana Kobayashi made a stunning performance in the final 800 meters. Kobayashi overtook Yuka Suzuki, who placed sixth at the Paris Olympics, to claim the title of top Japanese finisher.