Leading companies in Chiba have founded a new entity called “MICE IR Chiba” with the goal of ensuring a Makuhari IR bid.
In addition to Shinnihon Construction and Kitz – both headquartered in Makuhari – 10 other companies have also invested, including Tsukamoto Sogyo (Tokyo/Chuo), which has developed the Chiba station area, Chiba Sokkei (Chiba), which sells OA and surveying equipment, and Ninomiya (Makuhari), which manufactures and sells parking lot equipment. JPY350 million (US$3.2 million) has been raised with the company formally incorporated on 7 August.
Kazue Kanesuna, the President of MICE IR Chiba, held a press conference on Thursday at which he stated, “The most effective use of Makuhari’s land is an IR facility.
“[If a bid is successful], it will dramatically transform Chiba’s economy and culture. I want the city to think positively so we can compete with Yokohama.”
Next, the plan is to proceed with business proposals that will introduce IRs to the Makuhari area while continuing to seek investment from businesses within the prefecture.
Kanesuna is the chairman of Shinnihon Construction. At the press conference he praised the strength of Makuhari as an attractive area, being close to both Narita and Haneda airports, with one of the longest artificial beaches in Japan, and the abundant infrastructure already present as showcased by Makuhari Messe.
Furthermore, with expansion of Makuhari Messe that would include building the largest hall in Japan while leaving the ZOZO Marine Stadium for resident use, he announced that the company was considering building a new professional sports stadium.
The idea is to separate the traffic lines of visitor facilities, such as the exhibition hall and stadium, from the casino area. A concrete proposal and estimations of economic effects will be finalized and proposed to the city at the end of October.
Chiba city announced in July that it would start gathering information from private companies to determine whether it would submit an IR bid.
In August, it started accepting registrations from corporations and organizations who were interested in providing information. The names of the corporations and organizations that have registered have not been disclosed, but it is known that two companies from within the city have registered.
MICE IR Chiba is one of these companies. The other is Chiba no Mirai (Chiba’s Future) MICE/IR, which was established in May 2017 by local companies with its headquarters in Makuhari. It is currently supported by about 50 companies, mostly small and medium enterprises.
