 The event was first run in 1951 as the Yasuda Sho in honor of Izaemon Yasuda, the founding chairman of the Japan Racing Association.Following the death of Mr. Yasuda, in 1958 the race name was changed to the Yasuda Kinen.In 1984 the race was promoted to Grade 1 status and in 1993 it was granted International Grade 1 status.