• 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
  • Industry Talk
  • Trends & Tech
  • iGaming
  • follow
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • RSS Feed
    • LinkedIn

Yokohama mayor officially backs casino, cites economics

Aug 22, 2019 Newsdesk Japan, Latest News, Top of the deck  


Yokohama mayor officially backs casino, cites economics

The mayor in the city of Yokohama (pictured), Japan’s second-largest metropolis by population, publicly declared on Thursday – for the first time – support for getting a casino resort there. Previously her public stance was of neutrality on the issue.

The news that Fumiko Hayashi was now backing such a plan was reported by a number of media outlets, including Reuters, and came during a news conference by the city government, that was streamed live online.

She is said to have reached the decision in July, but the public announcement was timed to coincide with the end of the summer holiday period in Japan and the fact that public money to promote such a policy would need to be obtained through the city council budget, via an application to be submitted next month.

“We must look to Yokohama’s future, the 20 to 30 years ahead,” Ms Hayashi reportedly stated.

“I’ve come to the conclusion that in order to achieve growth and development, we need integrated resorts,” the city’s leader added.

Large-scale casino resorts – typically including big hotels, conference facilities and shops and known locally as integrated resorts or “IRs” – have been presented by Japan’s national government as a useful form of economic stimulus and a way to boost inbound international tourism.

Would-be host communities must first find private-sector partners, and then apply to the national government for the right to have such a facility. Up to three will be permitted in a first stage of market liberalisation.

Yokohama’s mayor reiterated that a 47-hectare (116-acre) site on the city’s waterfront at Yamashita pier was the preferred site for a casino complex.

But according to information collated by GGRAsia’s Japan correspondent, she acknowledged at the media briefing that there was not yet public consensus on such an initiative.

She said the city authorities would hold briefings on the topic in each of the city’s 18 wards, but appeared to rule out a local referendum on the matter.

A special effort would be made to win round an anti-casino lobby said to be made up of businesses that do not wish to vacate current premises around Yamashita pier, according to our correspondent.

It had been reported by local media on Monday that Ms Hayashi intended to secure a JPY260-million (US$2.4-million) budget from public funds to be spent on the city’s IR implementation policy.

A note earlier this month from brokerage Sanford C. Bernstein Ltd, said that two big-city IRs – possibly Yokohama and Osaka – and one in a smaller regional centre, might eventually generate in aggregate, gross gaming revenue (GGR) of US$7 billion to US$8 billion per year.


  • tweet
Related articles
  • MGM expects autumn announcement on Japan IR licence
    MGM expects autumn announcement on...

    Jun 21, 2022  

  • Japan govt policy paper restates IR role in tourism revival
    Japan govt policy paper restates IR...

    Jun 08, 2022  

More news
  • Maybe new Macau mass Covid test, community spread still
    Maybe new Macau mass Covid test,...

    Jun 24, 2022  

  • Blackstone clinches US$6.15bln takeover of Crown Resorts
    Blackstone clinches US$6.15bln takeover...

    Jun 24, 2022  


Latest News

Maybe new Macau mass Covid test, community spread still

Maybe new Macau mass Covid test, community spread still

Jun 24, 2022  

It is likely that Macau will shortly have a third round of citywide centre-based Covid-19 testing in little more than a week, after the results so far of a second mass test – that was due to finish...
Read More
Blackstone clinches US$6.15bln takeover of Crown Resorts

Blackstone clinches US$6.15bln takeover of Crown Resorts

Jun 24, 2022  

Jeju still studying online gaming for its casinos: govt

Jeju still studying online gaming for its casinos: govt

Jun 24, 2022  

Sign up to our FREE Newsletter

UB8V5.qr.16(Click here for more)

Pick of the Day


US$5.8 million

Amount that each Macau casino operator paid for the circa six-month extension of their respective contract



Most Popular

  • Maybe new Macau mass Covid test, community spread stillMaybe new Macau mass Covid test, community spread still June 24, 2022
  • Macau ops sign contract extension, eye fresh public tenderMacau ops sign contract extension, eye fresh public tender June 23, 2022
  • Blackstone clinches US$6.15bln takeover of Crown ResortsBlackstone clinches US$6.15bln takeover of Crown Resorts June 24, 2022
  • SJM confirms new US$2.4bln loan facilitySJM confirms new US$2.4bln loan facility June 24, 2022
  • Okada Manila control dispute back in court: UniversalOkada Manila control dispute back in court: Universal June 22, 2022
Copyright 2014-2022 TEAM Publishing and Consultancy Ltd / All rights reserved
  • Code of Ethics
  • Privacy Policy
  • Useful Links
  • Contact Us