Yokohama might drop out of Japan’s IR race
The Yokohama prefecture will likely drop out of the bid to host a Japanese integrated resort (IR).
The decision on whether to leave the prefecture in the race, or withdraw, will largely depend on the mayoral election taking place in August.
Asia Gaming Brief has reported a possible candidate from the ruling party, Hachiro Okonogi, will not support the IR project.
“If I do become mayor, the first thing I will do is stop the Integrated Resort plan,” said Okonogi.
“I will cancel it because we have not gained the trust of the citizens.”
While he claims he personally has nothing against the IR project, his stance is based on the opposition the resort faces from the citizens of Yokohama.
While there’s no outright confirmation Okonogi will take part in the mayoral election, he recently resigned as chairman of the National Public Safety Commission, and he has the support of Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga.
Should Yokohama drop out of the IR race, it would impact the plans of Genting Singapore, Sega Sammy and Melco Resorts, all of which were aiming to become the prefecture’s IR partner.
Observers believe that, with the withdrawal of Yokohama, Tokyo might be tempted to step in as a last-minute option.
However, citizens of the capital have expressed similar concerns to those on show in Yokohama, with more than 60% of citizens opposing the idea of an IR in the city.
This leaves Osaka as one of the main contenders for the IR spot, with Nagasaki and Wakayama also remaining in the race.
In total, Japan is planning to allow no more than three IRs in the country. Right now, though, even that number looks ambitious.
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