Yokohama awaits national IR policy

The Yokohama city Mayor Fumiko Hayashi’s wait for “fully aparent” national policy puts on hold the potential bidding for IR at Yokohoma.

Integrated resorts (IRs) are to be finally regulated in the near future in Japan as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is emphasizing the reglamentation bill. However, as disclosed by the Mayor Fumiko Hayashi, until the said process is not completed Yokohama will “remain a blank slate” in this matter.

Though Yokohama is one of the potential IR hosts it is waiting for “the national policy” to become “fully apparent. As soon as that happens, the city will conduct a citizen survey and bring the matter to the table for consideration with the business community. Nonetheless, Mayor Hayashi added they are “not in any hurry for the national government to set out the legal framework.”

In spite of being one of the regions that holds the potential to host an IR, it still faces strong uprising by the Yokohama Harbor Transport Association. Chairman Yukio Fujiki said: “In regard to Yamashita Pier development, I’d like to see, not a casino, but rather stylish facilities including an international convention center, hotels, etc.”

Still, not the entire business community is against the project as Yokohama Chamber of Commerce & Industry’s Chairman Takashi Ueno has been advocating for establishing an IR and said he expects this year to be the one it finally happens.