Japan’s Hakodate not ready to pursue casino resort bid, mayor says
Hakodate has again ruled out bidding to host an integrated resort with a casino.
Japan.- It’s been confirmed again that Hakodate is unlikely to be a candidate bid to host an integrated resort (IR) with a casino during Japan’s upcoming round of licence applications. Mayor Jun Oizumi has said the city in southern Hokkaido is “nowhere near” ready to submit a bid.
City officials had already ruled out a bid last year, leaving Tomakomai as the most likely candidate in Hokkaido’s.
Oizumi said the city will closely monitor the development of the MGM Osaka integrated resort and will consider supporting a similar project only if its economic benefits for regional revitalisation become clear.
“There has been hardly any in-depth discussion among citizens or the city council at this point. Hakodate city is nowhere near the stage of trying to have an IR,” the mayor said.
