Japanese powerbroker and anti-casino activist Yukio Fujiki, candidate for mayor of Yokohama, has vowed to overthrow the prefecture’s planned integrated resort (IR) bid. And the so-called “Don of Yokohama” used no uncertain terms to express his contempt for the plan.
“I want to kill those House of Representatives members that come from Yokohama and are in favor of casinos,” said the 90-year-old businessman in March. He dismissed current prime minister and casino supporter Yoshihide Suga as “a traveler. Even if he was born in Yokohama and grew up in Yokohama, he is like a traveler. I’m a villager. I have to take responsibility.”
He also had choice words for Yokohama Mayor Fumiko Hayashi, whose term expires in August, calling her a “blank slate” on IR development. The mayor has alternately supported, opposed and declared herself neutral on a casino resort in the vicinity. “Her face is smeared with mud,” said Fujiki.
At one time, lawmakers planned a referendum to gauge community support for an IR. But in January, the assembly rejected that idea, causing an uproar among the citizenry. “The mayor’s answer was cold,” said one spokesperson. “She basically said she will not listen to the opinions of us citizens.”
The port city has long been considered a front-runner for one of three IRs approved by the Japanese government in 2016. At one point, Fumiko said such a resort complex “would greatly contribute to the city’s tax revenue by enhancing tourism,” and city officials estimated it would generate between $7 billion and $10 billion a year for the local economy.
Now a group called the Yokohama Future Concept Conference has formed to support a candidate who agrees that “Yokohama does not rely on casinos.” Fujiki, who also serves as chairman of the Yokohama Port Harbor Resort Association, is its chairman.
As the debate continues, the IR bidding process is ongoing. AGB Nippon predicts that the race will come down to two bidders: Melco Resorts and Genting Singapore. Sega Sammy and Shotoku are also in the running, but Sega Sammy is interested in a minority stake, and Shotoku is considered too small to compete.
According to InterGame.com, another local anti-casino group, the Kanagawa Citizens Ombudsman, has said Yamashita Wharf location cannot be leased by the city to an IR operator because it would be a violation of the public welfare. The group has threatened to sue the city government.
Despite the opposition, the Yokohama Chamber of Commerce continues to support the IR concept. Chairman Takashi Ueno plans to support a pro-IR mayoral candidate, whether it be incumbent Hayashi or an alternative.
Hayashi has not said whether she’ll run for reelection.
