The selection of Casinos Austria International to develop the Nagasaki IR surprised many. Could you explain why you chose a European operator that has never created an IR before? What was it about the CAI bid that was compelling?
We have held a strenuous evaluation process in which Casinos Austria was finally selected. Tey had scored the highest with the evaluation committee, especially in areas such as business concept, development policies and direction, and handling of concern points.
What are the essentials the IR project must deliver to be successful in Nagasaki? Which are the elements of the IR, aside from the casino, that will make the most impact in the prefecture?
Te Kyushu-Nagasaki IR will become an international tourism center for creating a wide- ranging flow of tourist from the IR to Kyushu and
and investment. Is Japan’s IR project still politically fragile? Could we see more of the prefectures both short and long-term reverse their interest in IRs?
In the case of Nagasaki, the prefectural council and the Sasebo city council has not had notable push back regarding IR development and we will continue our efforts in creating an understanding for this development project.
As previously mentioned, the regional support from the Kyushu Governors’ Association, Kyushu Prefectural Council Chairpersons’ Committee and the Kyushu Chamber of Commerce represents the All-Kyushu framework of the Kyushu-Nagasaki IR. Te Kyushu IR Council is made up of both the public and private sectors.
Without discussing other regional situations, it can be said that Nagasaki and the Kyushu region are in sync about IR development.
“Developing an IR in Nagasaki will create a boost in
non-resident population that will lead to economic benefits, which in turn will create new jobs leading to resident population growth and stability.”
Ken Hirata, Vice Governor of Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan
Japan. Creating this wave of tourism also will lead to more demand of products and services, and create more high-standard job opportunities. We have high expectations for the economic benefits the IR will bring to Nagasaki and the Kyushu region.
What will convince future generations that this was the right idea? What will the legacy of the IR be for Nagasaki and your administration?
Developing an IR in Nagasaki will create a boost in non-resident population that will lead to economic benefits, which in turn will create new jobs leading to resident population growth and stability. We will also work to provide the most safe and secure IR in order to mitigate the concerns that people may have.
Has Japan accepted the idea of Integrated Resorts and casinos - do you think that the opening of the IRs will dismiss peoples reservations about casinos or reinforce them?
Te Japanese government has set a national goal of reaching annual numbers of 60 million international visitors with 15 trillion yen spend by the year 2030. IR development is an important element in driving development in tourism and industry in the post-Covid era, which should lead to IRs being accepted. As for the casino in the IR, we will work to set appropriate measures in order to minimise these concerns.
The recent elections in Yokohama saw the IR project abandoned after many years of planning
P32 WIRE / PULSE / INSIGHT / REPORTS
The term of the casino licence is three years from the grant date of the licence and may be renewed for successive three year periods. Many bidders have been worried about raising the investment needed for an IR project due to the short-term of the licence and potential for political change. Is this a legitimate concern?
For us, we have up to now progressed under the regulations and requirements set by the national government, and so we will continue to find the optimal solutions and procedures within the parameters that have been set.
If Nagasaki is not granted a licence this time - will the prefecture continue to lobby for an IR when the IRs are reviewed again in five/seven years? Or is this the one and only chance for the prefecture?
At this point, our focus is solely on receiving approval for this round.
The number of licences is to be reviewed after seven years have elapsed from the date of first certification - do you see the number of IRs in Japan increasing beyond the initial three - and will Tokyo bid for an IR in the future?
I cannot speak for other regions, but I can say that we are absolutely focused on our own IR development plans.
We look forward to welcoming our friends from around the world and hope to see you in Nagasaki in the near future.
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