Yoshio Yatsu, the minister of agriculture, forestry and fisheries, said Friday he opposes Yokohama's plan to introduce Japan's first local tax on horse-race betting.
He said there are "doubts" about the way it targets a specific financial resource.
On Thursday, the Yokohama Municipal Assembly approved a revised ordinance allowing the city to impose a 5 percent tax on sales at the two off-track betting booths in the city. Both are run by the Japan Racing Association, an affiliate of the ministry.
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