Japan IR policy release date still undecided

The government has not yet decided when it will publish its basic policy on integrated resorts.

Japan.- With the prospective bidders anxious to receive central government’s Basic Policy on Integrated Resorts to be able to draw up their proposals, the government says it remains “undecided” on the legal framework and still has no expected date for publication.

Asked by a House of Representatives member at a regular cabinet meeting, the government confirmed there had been little progress on the policy.

The draft policy document from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism is the necessary first step for the process for issue up to three licences to develop and operate IRs in Japan next year.

The application period for area certification is currently set to take place between January and July 2021. However, with still no national policy to consult, operators have said there will not be enough time to prepare and present applications for that date.