Additional Contamination Control Work Almost Finished at Toyosu Market

July 13, 2018

Tokyo- -The Tokyo metropolitan government has almost finished additional soil contamination control work at the site for the Toyosu wholesale food market, which is scheduled to take over the functions of the existing Tsukiji market on Oct. 11, officials said Thursday.

After an experts' panel reviews the additional work, the metropolitan government will proceed with procedures to gain approval from the agriculture minister for the relocation of the market.

Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike has expressed her readiness to declare the safety of the Toyosu market in the Japanese capital's Koto Ward before it opens, as requested by industry groups. The Tsukiji market is located in neighboring Chuo Ward.

In September 2016, empty spaces were found beneath some key facilities at the Toyosu market site, although they should have been filled with pollution control soil. The Toyosu site previously hosted a gas plant.

Following the findings, the experts' panel requested additional safety measures in June 2017.

The metropolitan government started the additional work in October 2017. It has spent 3.8 billion yen on the work, which included covering the basement floor beneath the facilities with concrete, setting up air ventilation equipment and strengthening groundwater management systems. Jiji Press