New station on Tokyo's Yamanote line to be named Takanawa Gateway

I can already hear the "gateway" being dropped by most Tokyoites. What a strange addition...

The railway company, also known as JR East, said the name of the station was decided based on suggestions submitted by the public.

Takanawa was the No. 1 choice of people, with 8,398 entries, while Takanawa Gateway placed 130th with 36 entries.

「(°ヘ°) puzzled, scratches head....

Takanawa was voted as number one by public but still it was not selected.

As usual public's opinion was ignored ;)

So why they even conducted voting?

This story is confusing. There were about 64052 submissions from which 8398 where for Takenawa.

Takanawa Gateway was only selected 130 times but still won?

the station building consists of four structures including a high-rise building of condos for foreigners

You'll have to forgive someone who rarely makes it to our beloved capital, but WTF? Exclusively for foreigners?

But I am disappointed my submission wasn't successfull: "Olympia Station"

Ganbare are you from Washington State!? That's a great town.

Part of their thinking was that this was on the old 'Kaido' to and from Edo, so it was sort of the gateway to the old city. I guess that was why they rescued 'Gateway' even though only 36 people chose 'Takanawa Gateway'.

Last night I caught part of a talk show where guests were suggesting how it might be shortened by Tokyoites, to 'Taka-Gei', 'Taka-wei', 'Nawa-gei', etc.

The railway company, also known as JR East, said the name of the station was decided based on suggestions submitted by the public.

Takanawa was the No. 1 choice of people, with 8,398 entries, while Takanawa Gateway placed 130th with 36 entries.

「(°ヘ°) puzzled, scratches head....

Japanese logic......if you try to make sense out of it, you will lose your mind.

It just shows that there was no actual vote involve, they already had a name picked out and wanted the public to feel as if they had a say in it.

Sony Corporation really dropped the ball on this big opportunity. They should have pushed their employees to submit “Play Station” for the new name. That’s a lifetime of free advertisement.

The formal name includes Gateway to make it helpful for foreigners, I assume.  I imagine most locals will just call it Takanawa or come up with some other nickname.

The new station is scheduled to partially open in the spring of 2020 ahead of the Olympics and Paralympics and to begin full operation in 2024.

I'm more confused by this last line.  Why will it take another four years to become fully operational?

I would name after the emperor.

Takanawa Gateway isn't a bad name. But I am disappointed my submission wasn't successfull: "Olympia Station".

There is already one of those on the District Line. :)

The "Gateway" in the name is unnecessary. This means its going be more bunched up than Takadanobaba and Nishi-Nippori on the signs and displays.

Takanawa Gateway isn't a bad name. But I am disappointed my submission wasn't successfull: "Olympia Station".

You'll have to forgive someone who rarely makes it to our beloved capital, but WTF? Exclusively for foreigners?

I dont think so. I think what they mean is that generally speaking, its really difficult for a foreign person to rent/buy a condo in Japan, so this development will likely offer financing etc specifically to make it easier for foreigners to buy.

i don't understand why the public was allowed to vote in the first place. train station names are usually based on their locations.

The "Gateway" in the name is unnecessary. This means its going be more bunched up than Takadanobaba and Nishi-Nippori on the signs and displays.

"Takanawa Gateway Station" is far away from the longest romaji station names, even just in Tokyo.

Chūō-Daigaku-Meisei-Daigaku Station

Higashi-ikebukuro-yonchome Station

Clearly no one understands JR logic.

The starting point is this:

The station name can't replicate another station name, even if the station name is on a different line.

The station name can't imply that it is somehow superior to another station name, even if the station name is on another line.

So, what does that mean.

"Takanawa" as a station name would be great, but there are already other station names that include "Takanawa", so they couldn't use just "Takanawa". That would be rude.

But they couldn't use any other existing name as the station is not connected to any other existing station.

So, ta da, we have a NEW "Takanawa" station that has some ending on it to make it equal to the other Takanawa stations.

But, of course, in terms of the Yamanote-sen, it will just be Takanawa. The Gateway part will only be used for real estate pamphlets.

The railway company, also known as JR East, said the name of the station was decided based on suggestions submitted by the public.

Err, what? By choosing the name that was entry no. 130?? Scratching my head

Gateway is wrong simply because this station is going to be no transportation hub. Being close to Haneda and Shinagawa means nothing - so is Tamachi and it's not a "gateway". As far as I know, this new station won't be connected to any other line which ranks it in the line of other famous gateway hubs such as Uguisudani, Shin-Okubo and Mejiro.