Japan confirms timeline for IR bids

The national government has also said it plans to take part in the conversations with potential private partners.

Japan.- The Japanese national government has finally confirmed its basic policy for integrated resorts (IR) in the country.

The final guidelines maintain most of those included in a previous draft presented by the Japan Tourism Agency.

One key change is that central government now plans to have a direct role in the conversations between local authorities and potential private partners for the resorts. This will take place via the central authorities’ IR promotion headquarters.

The policy also confirms the new timeline for local authorities to present their bids to the national government. Applications will be accepted from October 1, 2021 to April 28, 2022. That window is nine months behind the initial timeframe for the national project due to delays resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic.

Central authorities intend to issue three IR licences. The government recently confirmed that it expects the first IRs to open by the end of the decade.

The government has also confirmed in its proposed tax reforms that it does not intend to tax the winnings of international customers at the resorts.