Nagasaki to begin IR partner selection this month

Authorities say they expect to begin the process to choose a private partner for a future integrated resort by the end of July.

Japan.- Nagasaki’s prefecture has announced it plans to begin the process to select a private partner for its future integrated resort (IR) by the end of July.

Officials from the Tourism, Promotion and Transportation Measures Special Committee have said that the proposal stage should be complete by the end of August in order to keep the process on schedule.

The prefecture hopes to make its final selection of an operator by February 2021.

Nagasaki is aiming to host one of the three initial IR licences to be granted in Japan, although nationally the process is liable to be delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Potential partners for the Nagasaki IR so far include Oshidori International, Current Corp and a Japanese unit of Casinos Austria International.