Wakayama Prefecture to Hold Public Briefings on IR Development Plans

Wakayama prefecture has announced that it will host public briefings for residents to outline its planned IR bid, with sessions set to be held in 14 locations between November 25 and December 5.

A representative of the prefecture said: “We are now working together with the operator that will be involved in specified complex tourist facility operations for an IR at Wakayama Marina City. We will hold public hearings on a Wakayama IR in order to gain the understanding of the prefectural residents while also hearing public opinion that we can reflect in the plan.”

The briefings will be held in seven locations within Wakayama city, where Marina City is located, and seven locations outside of Wakayama city. There are expected to be between 100 and 150 attendees. The content of the briefings will consist of an overview of the area development plan – the Wakayama IR proposal to be submitted to the central government – and a Q&A session.

Wakayama Prefecture named Clairvest Neem Ventures as its preferred partner to develop an IR at Wakayama Marina City in June and the pair signed a Basic Agreement in August.

US casino giant Caesars Entertainment has since been named as casino operator for the project.

An area development plan will be drafted by Clairvest and Wakayama prefecture by November before a submission is made to Japan’s central government to be granted one of up to three licenses to be issued nationwide to develop an IR.