Wakayama opens public consultation on IR plans

The Wakayama Prefectural Government’s period for public remarks regarding the development of an integrated resort will run until March 10.

Japan.- Authorities in Wakayama have finally launched a public consultation process on their proposed plans to develop an integrated resort in the city. The deadline for submitting comments is March 10.

It comes after a prefectural assembly committee tasked with reviewing community disposition towards an integrated resort expressed concern that planning and fundraising for the project remain unclear. Despite its doubts, the committee agreed that the Wakayama Prefectural Government can go ahead with the public consultation to take feedback from the public, city authorities and the prefectural assembly.

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. The planned initial investment in the IR development is JPY470bn (US$4.3bn).

Last October, Japan’s bicameral legislature opened the application window for three integrated resorts licences. 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.