A Japanese government official has conceded there may be a delay in the country’s integrated-resort licensing process, in which applications were to be accepted in the first half of 2021.
According to Asia Gaming Brief, Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Kazuyoshi Akaba said, “While the new coronavirus is spreading, we are in contact with the local governments that are planning to make bids and endeavoring to confirm whether there will be any problems meeting the application period from January to July next year.”
In related news, according to Inside Asian Gaming, the city of Yokohama has canceled briefings on the implementation policy draft that would establish its requirements for an IR from June to August.
After choosing a private-sector partner, interested local governments will need to apply to the central authorities for the right to host one of the country’s first IRs. Up to three of the mega-resorts will be permitted nationally in the first phase of liberalization.
Officials say they have contacted local officials from Osaka, Yokohama, Wakayama, Nagasaki, Tokyo and Nagoya to ask about the challenges they face developing their potential bids, including holding public meetings. Covid-19 recently caused a delay of many public activities.
Another factor affecting the planning process of local governments is a delay in the release of the national government’s IR basic policy, which was originally due in March. The government’s IR Basic Plan must be published by July 26 to avoid the process of revising the IR Implementation Act.
