New Station on Tokyo’s Yamanote Line
Last week, the Yomiuri reported that JR was planning to open a new station on Tokyo’s Yamanote loop line. It would be the first new station on the line in 40 years, and would be combined with a redevelopment planned aimed at attracting international businesses:
The planned station will be the 30th on the Yamanote Line. The last station to open on the line was Nishi-Nippori in Arakawa Ward in 1971.
Because the area to be developed is close to Haneda Airport, which is handling an increasing number of international flights, it was last month designated by the government as “a comprehensive special zone for international strategy.”
The central government plans to ease immigration regulations for foreigners who work at companies in the zone, and the Tokyo metropolitan government will try to attract foreign companies by reducing or eliminating the corporate enterprise tax imposed on firms establishing offices there.
A Japanese TV report takes a look at the plan:
The beginning of the video shows a large area where many trains are parked when not in use. This area will be redeveloped.
The land used was owned by JR and didn’t really contribute much to the economic well-being of the area. Local residents and restaurant owners are looking forward to the creation of a booming new business zone.
At least one business will have to make some very big changes if a new station is opened. The reporter visits a Yamanote-themed karaoke parlor at the Shinagawa Prince Hotel, where all the rooms are named after stations. There is no extra room between the Tamachi station room and the Shinagawa station counter. They’ll have to name their waiting sofa after the new station.
An expert from the Daiwa Institute of Research says that the zone will benefit from its proximity to both Haneda Airport and the Shinkansen stop at Shinagawa station. Real estate agents are also expecting that property values around the area are going to rise.
Construction of the station could begin in 2013, with the opening sometime in 2014.
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