Favourite for Japanese PM wants IR project to continue

The development of integrated resorts in Japan has faced further uncertainty following the resignation of prime minister Shinzo Abe.

Japan.- The fate of Japan’s delayed IR projects has yet to be seen following the resignation of Shinzo Abe as prime minister, but Yoshihide Suga, who is favorite to replace Abe, has shown a firm intention to move forward with the project.

Suga, who is currently chief cabinet secretary, told a programme on TV Kanagawa: “I think that IRs are indispensable for our tourism promotion efforts. Although people tend to focus only on the casinos, the government intends to promote IRs as places with various facilities and hotels where families can come and stay during international conferences.”

Cities interested in bidding for IR developments include Yokohama, Osaka and Nagasaki. They are still waiting for Japan’s national policy in order to move forward with their bids. Suga did not go into details on a possible new timeline for development.

Suga will face two opponents in the ruling party’s leadership race, but a majority of lawmakers have already pledged to vote for him.