• About Us
  • The Team
  • Advertise with Us

The latest news on the gaming industry in Asia

() () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () ()
  • Home
  • Macau
  • Philippines
  • Singapore
  • Japan
  • Rest of Asia
  • World
  • Features
  • Industry Talk
  • Trends & Tech
  • follow
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • RSS Feed
    • LinkedIn

Japan’s second city flags doubts on hosting casino

Sep 05, 2018 Newsdesk Japan, Latest News, Top of the deck  


Japan’s second city flags doubts on hosting casino

Approximately 94 percent of citizens in Yokohama City expressing a view on the idea of a casino resort indicated “negative” opinions. The topic of casino resorts arose in the context of a local-government survey on public policy.

The urban centre is Japan’s second-largest city by population, according to data from the country’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.

The local concern on the casino topic was voiced in findings – released on Tuesday – of a survey conducted by the city’s government between May 14 and June 22 this year. The specific nature of citizen concern was not outlined in reports about the survey findings.

Japanese brokerage Nomura had last autumn identified Yokohama City (pictured) as a prime candidate for a casino resort.

Individuals and community groups were asked in the just-disclosed survey for their opinions on the city’s “mid-term, four-year plan” – a document covering possible public policy options during the period 2018 to 2021. The city’s policy division is in charge of overseeing the survey.

According to information gathered by GGRAsia, a total of 830 individuals or entities submitted views on all public policy matters, and 2,129 distinct opinions were expressed via the survey.

Comments on the idea of hosting a casino resort – known in the Japanese context as an integrated resort or “IR” – accounted for 20 percent of all opinions submitted on public policy.

According to publicly-available information, the mayor of Yokohama, Fumiko Hayashi – who was re-elected in July 2017 for a third consecutive term – had at one stage spoken in favour of hosting a casino resort, but turned “neutral” on the topic in January 2017, in the run-up to the mayoral poll that year.

The city’s government is said to have so far followed her lead on the casino matter. Ms Hayashi represents the Democratic Party, which at national level is in opposition to the current governing coalition led by the Liberal Democratic Party.

According to GGRAsia’s information, the city government will discuss the mid-term plan and the public comment on it – and make a resolution on the plan – during the third term of the city congress, which is due to run from September 10 to October 26.

Yokohama City is known under Japan’s administrative system as an ordinance-designated city, and is therefore permitted to submit in its own right – if it wishes – a request for a casino resort.

The IR Implementation Act, passed in July by the country’s parliament, allows for only three casino resorts in the first stage of liberalisation.

The Nikkei news outlet reported recently that representatives from a total of 40 local governments had attended in August briefing sessions by Japan’s Office of Integrated Resort Regime Promotion – known as the IR Promotion Secretariat – on the IR policy issue.

The government of Kanagawa Prefecture, the area where Yokohama City is located, has not so far stated publicly a position on the casino resort question.


  • tweet
Related articles
  • Wynn restates Japan interest, despite not chasing Yokohama
    Wynn restates Japan interest, despite...

    Feb 04, 2021  

  • Yokohama budgets US$3.4mln in 2021 for casino tilt
    Yokohama budgets US$3.4mln in 2021 for...

    Feb 01, 2021  

More news
  • Covid-19 test cert no longer needed for Macau casino entry
    Covid-19 test cert no longer needed for...

    Mar 02, 2021  

  • Lim Kok Thay, GEN Singapore execs in US$1.3mln stock award
    Lim Kok Thay, GEN Singapore execs in...

    Mar 02, 2021  


Latest News

Covid-19 test cert no longer needed for Macau casino entry

Covid-19 test cert no longer needed for Macau casino entry

Mar 02, 2021  

From after the stroke of midnight on Wednesday (March 3) people wishing to enter Macau casino floors will no longer need to show a test certificate proving they are free of Covid-19 infection, said...
Read More
Lim Kok Thay, GEN Singapore execs in US$1.3mln stock award

Lim Kok Thay, GEN Singapore execs in US$1.3mln stock award

Mar 02, 2021  

Five groups qualify for next phase of Nagasaki casino tilt

Five groups qualify for next phase of Nagasaki casino tilt

Mar 02, 2021  

Sign up to our FREE Newsletter

UB8V5.qr.16(Click here for more)

Partners

Pick of the Day

”Consumers are increasingly comfortable using cashless technology, and they will continue to expect this option to be available on the floor"

Matt Wilson

Chief executive – gaming business at casino equipment and technology supplier Scientific Games



Most Popular

  • Galaxy Macau to add Raffles-branded hotel towerGalaxy Macau to add Raffles-branded hotel tower March 1, 2021
  • Melco’s Lawrence Ho hopeful on Macau recovery in MarchMelco’s Lawrence Ho hopeful on Macau recovery in March February 26, 2021
  • Macau casino GGR down 9pct m-o-m in February: govtMacau casino GGR down 9pct m-o-m in February: govt March 1, 2021
  • Macau VIP challenged by changes in China: Galaxy Ent bossMacau VIP challenged by changes in China: Galaxy Ent boss February 25, 2021
  • Suncity to open clubs at Londoner Macao, Lisboa PalaceSuncity to open clubs at Londoner Macao, Lisboa Palace February 26, 2021
Copyright 2014-2020 TEAM Publishing and Consultancy Ltd / All rights reserved
  • Code of Ethics
  • Privacy Policy
  • Useful Links
  • Contact Us