Nagoya to get involved in IR conversation

Mayor Takashi Kawamyra said that he favours an IR bid for the city and said he believes “it would be a good thing for Nagoya to raise its hand.”

Japan.- The Integrated Resorts (IR) Implementation Bill will be voted on by the Japanese House of Councillors over the next few days and the industry couldn’t be more excited. However, it’s not only casino companies that are looking forward to seeing the segment go live in the country, but also different politicians like Nagoya Mayor Takashi Kawamura, who suggested his city should push to get its own venue.

“I think it would be a good thing for Nagoya to raise its hand,” he unexpectedly said during a press conference. He even dared to project a potential landing spot for the venue: “A location near Nagoya Station would be convenient. It would be easy for the people of the world to come there.”

It is still unclear whether small or larger cities will be favoured in the IR bidding process but that’s not the only hurdle for Mayor Kawamura’s ambitions. For one thing, it is yet to be known whether there’s any land available for a potential venue. Furthermore, Tokoname city, also in the Aichi Prefecture, has declared its candidacy for an IR licence and represents serious competition for Nagoya.