Kitakyushu will not pursue Japan IR bid

Local authorities determined that the property would be “too big” and “difficult to realize”.

Japan.- After the withdrawal of Chiba from the Japan IR race, Kitakyushu mayor, Kenji Kitahashi, has confirmed that his city will not pursue a licence either.

“Most of our candidate locations already have a lot of buildings, and it would be a difficult endeavor considering the profit risk, the opportunities for local citizens and the deadline for submission to the national government,” Mayor Kitahashi said.

The city received development plans from three operators from the US and Asia that visited Kitakyushu after city showed interest in putting forward an IR bid.

But after reviewing the plan, authorities determined that the property would be “too big” and “difficult to realize.”

Chiba was the first city to confirm it would not take part in the IR race in Japan. Mayor Toshihito Kumagai said that his administration would not be applying because of the short time they have to prepare an IR plan.