# JAPAN GAME MUSEUM UPDATE **Source:** Pinball News Website **Type:** article **Published:** 2017-01-30 **Beat:** Pinball **URL:** https://www.pinballnews.com/site/2017/01/30/japan-game-museum-update --- ## Analysis A September 2016 visit report to the Japan Game Museum in Inuyama City documenting its closure since January 2016 and transformation into a warehouse facility. The museum remains accessible to VIP guests and continues acquiring vintage games including a Williams Grand Lizard (1986). Museum chief Mr Tsuji is planning a major expansion project for a larger facility. ### Key Claims - [HIGH] JGM has been closed to the public since January 2016 — _Direct observation and closure signage documented in museum visit_ - [HIGH] JGM has transformed into a warehouse for video games and pinball machines — _Photo documentation and physical observation during VIP visit_ - [HIGH] JGM continues to acquire new games, including a Williams Grand Lizard from 1986 — _Direct documentation of acquisition with photo evidence_ - [MEDIUM] Museum chief Mr Tsuji is planning a major expansion project to build a new, larger JGM facility — _Account of Tsuji describing plans to VIP guests during visit; future-oriented plan without confirmed timeline_ ### Notable Quotes > "The JGM has become a warehouse of video games and pinballs." > — **Article author/observer**, September 2016 > _Describes the fundamental operational change in museum's business model and function_ > "However, the JGM is still open to VIPs like me." > — **Article author**, September 2016 > _Notes that despite public closure, exclusive access remains available for select visitors_ > "The chief of JGM, Mr Tsuji, is now planning a huge project to build a new and bigger JGM. I hope that his dream can come true in the near future." > — **Article author**, September 2016 > _Indicates future growth ambitions for the institution despite current operational constraints_ ### Entities | Name | Type | Context | |------|------|---------| | Japan Game Museum (JGM) | organization | Museum in Inuyama City, Japan housing vintage video games and pinball machines; closed to public since January 2016, operating as warehouse with VIP access | | Mr Tsuji | person | Chief/director of Japan Game Museum; planning major expansion project | | Inuyama City | event | Location in Japan where the Japan Game Museum is situated | | Williams | company | Classic pinball manufacturer; Grand Lizard (1986) recently acquired by JGM | | Grand Lizard | product | Williams pinball machine from 1986; recently acquired by JGM | ### Topics - **Primary:** Museum operations and business model change, Vintage pinball and arcade game preservation - **Secondary:** Institutional expansion and growth planning, Japanese pinball community and infrastructure ### Sentiment **Positive** (0.75) — Author expresses optimism about museum's future plans and preservation mission despite operational challenges; uses casual, friendly tone ('^o^/' emoticon) and concludes with hopeful sentiment about expansion dreams ### Signals - **[business_signal]** Expansion planning signal indicates institution is preparing for future growth despite current constraints; major capital project under consideration by museum leadership (confidence: medium) — Mr Tsuji planning 'huge project' for new and larger facility; author expresses hope for realization but no confirmed timeline provided - **[business_signal]** Japan Game Museum transitioned from public-facing venue to private warehouse operation; significant operational restructuring suggesting financial or operational challenges requiring business model change (confidence: high) — Closure since January 2016, conversion to warehouse status, restricted VIP-only access documented - **[market_signal]** Continued acquisition of classic pinball machines (Williams Grand Lizard 1986) indicates ongoing preservation focus and active collecting despite operational pause (confidence: high) — Recent acquisition documented with photo evidence; collector activity continuing despite public closure --- ## Transcript Date: 26 September, 2016 Location: Inuyama City, Japan The Japan Game Museum (JGM) was the final destination of my Osaka-Nagoya trip in September 2016. ![The Japan Game Museum](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/japan-game-museum/1.jpg) The Japan Game Museum Major changes had been taking place at JGM. They were: JGM had been closed since January 2016. ![The closed sign](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/japan-game-museum/2.jpg) Closed since January 2016 The JGM has become a warehouse of video games and pinballs. ![A warehouse full of games](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/japan-game-museum/3.jpg) A warehouse full of games However, the JGM is still open to VIPs like me. \(^o^)/ ![Only open to VIP guests](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/japan-game-museum/4.jpg) Only open to VIP guests The JGM keeps on acquiring new games, including a new Grand Lizard (Williams, 1986) ![The JGM's new Grand Lizard](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/japan-game-museum/5.jpg) The JGM’s new Grand Lizard The chief of JGM, Mr Tsuji, is now planning a huge project to build a new and bigger JGM.   I hope that his dream can come true in the near future. ![Describing plans for the new JGM to VIP guests ](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/japan-game-museum/6.jpg) Describing plans for the new JGM to VIP guests _(Acquisition: raw_text, Enrichment: v1)_ --- *Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-04-13 | Item ID: 30f28bd5-0e32-4a0d-9437-b19ba04c2f0e*