2019 efforts in anticipation of Japanese IR development get started

2019 is the year that big steps will be taken in anticipation of Japanese IR establishment.

In July, there are plans to create a Casino Management Commission while the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport will announce standard policy in the second half of the year. In response to this, local governments hoping to lure integrated resorts will be presenting their own implementation policies throughout the year.

Since late 2018, the Headquarters for Promoting Development of Specified Complex Tourist Facilities Areas (also known as the IR Promotion Division) has been holding “Explanatory Sessions Regarding the Act on Promotion of Development of Specified Complex Tourist Facilities Areas” throughout Japan.

This is to solidify the foundation for consensus building of integrated resorts in the region. Explanatory sessions will also be held in regions that are not vying to be chosen as an IR spot with the intention of increasing understanding regarding IRs and to keep lines of communication open.

Explanatory sessions have already taken place in the Kanto, Kansai, Chugoku and Shikoku regional blocks. Further sessions are planned for five locations this month alone, including the Kyushu/Okinawa block on 8 January, the Hokuriku/Shinetsu block on 10 January, the Tokai block on 11 January, the Tohoku block on 17 January and the Hokkaido block on 18 January.