Kitakyushu joins the IR race

Mayor Kitahashi expressed interest in the IR proposals, but has not moved off of his neutral stance at this point

Japan.- Kitakyushu may be the next city to present a proposal to develop a Integrated Resort (IR). Although the mayor Kenji Kitahashi was not thinking about this idea, the distant July 2021 final deadline announced this week changed his mind.

“I am frankly very happy that Kitakyushu city has been considered from so many cities and we will consider the specific concept. I want to study it properly.”, said last week. What changed his mind was a meeting he had with a group of investors from Hong Kong and USA.

The investors, who are calling themselves “The Team IR Japan,” were led by Michael Soll, president of The Innovation Group.

There are two possible places to construct the IR. The first option is next to Kokura Station’s north exit, the most suitable due to its central location and it is a walking distance from the Shinkansen. The other option is the Kitaku area in Moji Ward. 

The investment amount is expected to be over JPY600 billion. The casino is expected to generate around JPY250 billion in annual revenue and JPY75 billion in tax revenue.