Nagasaki to form new IR Promotion Council

The prefecture plans to establish the body by early 2021 to create networking opportunities with local businesses.  

Japan.- Nagasaki’s bid to obtain one of the three integrated resorts (IR) licences to be issued in Japan will be supported by a new IR Promotion Council.

The prefecture plans to establish the body early next year. It will hold events and seminars for local businesses and create foundational strategies to promote effective business networking opportunities.

The council will comprise representatives from economic bodies, the government and the councils of Nagasaki prefecture and the Kyushu region. The concept was approved at a meeting of the Kyushu Governors’ Association and the Kyushu Regional Strategy Council.

Nagasaki, which is representing the Kyushu region in the race to secure one of three IR licences, has earmarked a 31-hectare site at the Huis Ten Bosch theme park in Sasebo city.

According to the prefecture, the project could generate JPY610 billion (US$5.8 billion) to JPY810 billion (US$7.75 billion) in construction-related economic benefits.

Once the IR is operational, it could generate JPY320 billion (US$3 billion) to JPY420 billion (US$4 billion) through an “economic ripple effect” each year.