‘Little Tokyo has become a big rum shop,’ Min. John says, questions nearly 100 iceboxes 

By Val Matthias. Updated 1:04 p.m., Wednesday, November 11, 2026, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4). 

Kingstown St. Vincent and the Grenadines November 11, 2026-Housing Minister Andrew John says the redevelopment of Little Tokyo in Kingstown will require a fundamental change in how the area is used, after expressing shock at what he estimated to be nearly 100 iceboxes occupying the commercial space.

Describing the area as having become “a big rum shop”, John said the existing arrangement was incompatible with the Government’s vision of transforming Little Tokyo into a greener, more organised commercial and recreational space.

Speaking on NBC Radio on Wednesday, November 11, the Minister of Housing, Land Management, Urban Development and Informal Settlement Upgrading said he was particularly taken aback by the number of iceboxes he observed when he visited the area on Independence Day morning.

“I was shocked when I came in on that Independence morning when it was closed down to see the number of iceboxes, you know, tied up. I believe it’s close to a hundred,” John said.

He argued that the redevelopment could not simply involve improving the physical appearance of Little Tokyo while leaving its existing commercial practices unchanged.

“We have to change that whole mindset,” the minister said, adding that the Government wanted to introduce greenery and a more structured environment without depriving people of their livelihoods.

However, John made it clear that accommodating all the existing iceboxes would not be possible under the proposed design.

“I doubt that we’ll be able to make allowances for that number, the iceboxes. It just cannot work,” he said.

His comments raise the prospect of significant changes for vendors and operators currently conducting business at Little Tokyo, although the minister did not announce a specific policy for managing the transition or say how many existing operators could be accommodated in the redeveloped facility.

Instead, John suggested that some of those currently operating through iceboxes could move towards more formal business arrangements by renting commercial properties that the Government intends to introduce.

“We want to add a few more shops as well, so maybe some of these people can take on a more serious sort of business idea and get into renting one of these properties rather than just putting up iceboxes,” he said.

The proposal, however, leaves important questions about affordability, access and the future of existing vendors. The minister did not indicate what rental rates might apply, whether current operators would receive priority when shops become available or what arrangements would be made for those unable to afford formal commercial space.

The proposed redevelopment comes after earlier plans to upgrade Little Tokyo. In May 2026, John indicated that refurbishment could begin in June and spoke publicly of an estimated EC$1 million for a greener redesign.

The Government is now pursuing a partnership with Japan, which assisted with the original development of the Kingstown Fisheries Complex in 1987. John said discussions had taken place with the Japanese ambassador following a visit to Little Tokyo on Independence Day, where Government representatives presented concept designs for the proposed improvements.

He also indicated that the Government was prepared to provide initial funding if securing the proposed partnership took too long. No revised project cost confirmed Japanese financial contribution or construction date has been announced.

While the redevelopment is intended to restore greenery and create a more attractive environment, John’s latest comments suggest that the project will also involve changing the way people earn a living at one of Kingstown’s established commercial locations.

For the vendors operating there, the central issue may ultimately be whether the promised transformation creates new business opportunities or makes it more difficult for existing operators to remain.

The Government has yet to explain how it intends to balance its redevelopment ambitions with the livelihoods of those who currently depend on Little Tokyo for their income.

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About the Author: This story was written and submitted by freelance journalist Mr. Val Matthias, a trained communicator with more than two decades in the media sector. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Media and Communication (UWI Mona), a Master of Science in Tourism and Hospitality Management (UWI Cave Hill), a Certificate in Digital Marketing, and has years of broadcast journalism experience rising to ranks of a programme manager. All supporting materials for this story have been presented, vetted, and verified. Mr Matthias can be reached at [email protected]