Yokohama continues to promote IR bid

The city is promoting the initiative through a Facebook page in an attempt to overcome opposition.

Japan.- Yokohama city remains divided over the prospect of an IR.

While opponents have collected signatures calling for a referendum on the city’s candidacy for an IR lience, there is a strong support for the project in the business sector.

The local government has launched a Japanese-language Facebook page to promote its IR initiative in a bid to drum up support.

The page, Yokohama Innovation IR, explains what an integrated resort is.

The city had already launched a website where it published similar content to promote the plan. However, despite all efforts, public opinion polls have shown 2-to-1 against the city’s plans.

A citizens’ movement gained enough signatures to trigger a referendum on whether or not the IR bid should proceed. Mayor Fumiko Hayashi has publicly indicated that she would respect the outcome of the referendum.