Asia
Hokkaido Excludes IR from 2021 Budget

Hokkaido has announced its initial budget for 2021 on February 19, with a 15.4% (JPY432.9 billion) increase over last year to JPY3.25 trillion (US$30.9 billion). This is the third-largest initial budget ever for the prefecture, which will now be proposed at the Hokkaido Prefectural Assembly regular session on February 25.
However, the fund for IR development was a notable absentee following a recent comment by Governor Naomichi Suzuki that an IR was not in the immediate future for Hokkaido.
Funds being set aside in prefectural budgets have traditionally been considered by experts as a strong indicator of a prefecture’s intentions regarding IRs. The fact that no funds have been set aside for IR development in Hokkaido’s 2021 budget appears to signal the death knell for any remaining glimmers of hope that Hokkaido could somehow jump back into Japan’s IR race.
At a press conference, Suzuki positioned the new fiscal year’s budget as “a budget that protects lives, livelihoods and creates a path for the future.” It is hoped this will help the prefecture navigate the COVID-19 pandemic and build a society resistant to infectious disease while also promoting Hokkaido’s future in a post-pandemic world.
Revenue has declined in the economic downturn and the prefecture’s financial situation is strained. Governor Suzuki commented, “We will firmly defend ourselves while at the same time starting on proactive policy. Balancing defense and offense has been difficult but we will accept the challenge to build a future for Hokkaido while controlling the pandemic.”
-
Africa7 days ago
Altenar appoints Brendon Jeacocks as Regional Director in South Africa
-
Interviews7 days ago
Roundtable: Why Malta remains the ‘hub’ of European iGaming
-
Gambling in the USA7 days ago
Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – July 14-20
-
Asia7 days ago
FBM Foundation donates an ambulance to improve accessible health care at the Baliwag City Hemodialysis Center
-
Africa6 days ago
Shaden Dre Shabalala (Captain of the MSSA Protea Esports Team for MLBB) will lead his brave, and dedicated, team against Madagascar on 23 July 2025 at 19H00)
-
Central Europe7 days ago
Pro Selection – next generation casino multigame from Promatic Group
-
Asia6 days ago
12BET Goes Crypto with Big Rewards
-
Africa7 days ago
TigonBet Enters Kenya’s Betting Market