Another Japanese city joins IR hunt

central Japanese city of Tokoname, located in Aichi Prefecture and host to the Chubu Centrair International Airport, will reportedly become the latest city in the country to bid for an Integrated Resort (IR) license.

As legislators in Japan move forward with casino regulation and local cities compete for licenses, the Tokoname City Council this week adopted a resolution on Monday calling for the prefectural and city governments to cooperate in drafting a casino project to attract an IR.

Hosting the Chubu Centrair International Airport, Tokoname City would be an attractive gaming zone to tourists. The region would be competing with Tokyo, Osaka and Yokohama during the bidding process, although further cities and rural towns may also join the competition.

Tokoname City Council Chairman, Kazutoshi Kawahara, commented: “While an IR can be expected to contribute to the promotion of tourism, measures against gambling addiction are also necessary.”