Okura Holdings shuts some pachinko venues

Operator closes some of its pachinko venues after pressure from local governments.

Japan.- Okura Holdins has u-turned on its decision to keep its pachinko venues open despite a state of emergence being declared in Japan due to Coronavirus.

The operator has since submitted a filing to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange confirming that it would close its venues in Tokyo and Kanagawa after pressure from local governments.

But in Hyogo and Fukuoka, where Okura also operates pachinko venues, no such requests have been made by local governments and its shops remain open, albeit with shorter hours.

“In respect of pachinko halls located in areas currently under the state of emergency but operating on reduced hours, the management of the company may consider temporary closure and further shortened operating hours depending on the requests of and its continuing communications with the relevant local governments,” Okura said in its filing.

“In respect of pachinko halls located in areas which are currently not under the state of emergency, the management of the company may adopt similar measures as appropriate if such areas become under the state of emergency,” it added.

Okura’s competitors, including Dynam and Maruhan immediately suspended operations at all of their pachinko parlours once the state of emergence was announced.