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.