The redevelopment in Yokohama around JR Kannai Station has gained momentum with the recent opening of a large complex called BASEGATE Yokohama Kannai on the 19th. This is the first step in a plan that will see super high-rise buildings developed in two adjacent areas by 2031. While Yokohama aims to transform its old city center into a hub for international exchange and business, there are rising concerns about the potential hollowing out of surrounding neighborhoods as a consequence of this transformation.

At the opening ceremony of BASEGATE, the representative from the project’s leading company, Mitsui Fudosan, promised that this redevelopment would serve as a starting point for further evolution in Kannai and help communicate new values from Yokohama to Japan and the world. Crowds formed long lines in anticipation of the launch, and as the doors opened at 11 AM, visitors quickly entered the new facility, highlighting the public's keen interest in this development.

Covering an area of about 16,500 square meters adjacent to Yokohama Stadium, the BASEGATE complex will include a 33-story super high-rise building approximately 170 meters tall, featuring offices and a university, as well as a renovated hotel in the former city hall, live viewing facilities, and numerous dining options. However, the juxtaposition of this modern development against the backdrop of potential urban decline raises questions about balanced urban growth and sustainability in the city.