01/29/20 Sega Sammy joins forces with Foster + Partners for Yokohama IR bid Joint venture to bid for IR licence on Yokohama, a front-runner city for one of three IR licences up for grabs in the country.
01/29/20 Anti casino protester interrupts IR Expo speech Chants of “We don’t need a casino” interrupt keynote speech being given by Deputy Mayor of Yokohama, Toshihide Hirahara
01/27/20 Yokohama to hold first Japan IR Expo The two-day event will be hosted by the Integrated Resort (IR) Yokohama Promotion Council and the Japan IR Expo in Yokohama Committee
01/27/20 Contact between government officials and IR operators to be regulated Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, has said that Basic Policy will set rules for how officials and operators can communicate.
01/23/20 Miyagi prefecture mulls IR bid The prefecture survey said that the “excessive investment” of JPY 330 billion (US$3 billion) could take “20 to 46 years” to recover
01/23/20 GSA Japan to change its name Gaming Standards Association (GSA) will now operate as International Gaming Standards Association (IGSA).
01/22/20 Japan: reactions to IR policy delay Nagasaki prefecture said that for now there is “no change” in the timetable regarding its interest in hosting a casino resort.
01/21/20 Genting Singapore defines Japan IR plans The operator identifies Osaka, Yokohama and Tokyo as primary locations of interest.
01/21/20 Hokkaido back in Japan IR race Prefecture considers including operating expenses in general accounting budget for a future IR bid.
01/21/20 Japan Govt postpones IR policy until February Japan’s new IR policy will be postponed after opposition parties move to stop the process in its tracks.
01/20/20 Prime Minister Abe confirmed its support to IR’s development Government to continue to push ahead with plans to build integrated resorts at three locations across the country, despite opposition.
01/17/20 Yokohama increase its budget for IR bid The metropolitan city will add US$3.6 million to its initial budget plan for costs related to its proposed IR venture
01/17/20 Wakayama Governor says bribe scandal will not affect IR plans Governor Nisaka says the scandal won’t impact Wakayama’s IR plans
01/16/20 MGM sells properties as it eyes opportunities in Japan The US casino operator offloads the MGM Grand hotel for $2.5 billion and will use the cash to target the Japanese market.
01/16/20 Japan scandal: Osaka bans meetings between government staff and gambling operators Any meeting between government employees and operators has to be note posted on the government website with the date and purpose of the meeting
