Tokyo sets aside US$87,000 for IR research in 2022 budget

Authorities in Tokyo are considering bidding for one of the three integrated resort licences Japan will allow in the first round of development.

Japan.- As part of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s fiscal year 2022 budget, Tokyo’s Bureau of Port and Harbor has secured JPY10m (US$87,000) for an integrated resort (IR) study.

Last October, Japan’s bicameral legislature opened the application window for three integrated resorts licences. Those cities and prefectures interested have until April 28 2022 to submit their final project proposals.

There are currently only three cities expected to bid: Nagasaki, Osaka and Wakayama. All three could be chosen; however, the public authority may pick only one or two, or even none. As regards Tokyo, a survey by a local newspaper found that 66 per cent are against an IR development and only 24 per cent are in favour.

Wakayama dismisses demands for IR referendum

Authorities in Wakayama have rejected a call for a public referendum on whether or not to allow proposals for an integrated resort in the city. Last November, an anti-IR group began collected more than 8,000 signatures on a petition calling for a referendum on the city’s integrated resort plans.

A special session of the Council took place from January 24 to 27 to debate and vote on the referendum. Finally, 28 officials voted against and only 9 of the 38-member council supported the plebiscite.

The planned initial investment in the IR development is JPY470bn (US$4.3bn). The Wakayama Prefectural Government hopes to open the integrated resort by 2026. It must submit its area development plan to the national government for approval by April 28, 2022.