Yokohama city has officially launched its RFC process, with concept proposals from private corporations looking to develop an integrated resort at Yamashita Wharf now being accepted.
The city will use these proposals and hearings as reference materials to draft an implementation policy by 2020.
Registration from both overseas IR operators and local Japanese developers will be accepted until 30 October 2019, with proposals accepted until late December.
Based on each proposal, the city will hold hearings around landscape concerns, measures for problem gambling and effects on tourism promotion. Separate concepts will be accepted from related industries with technologies for transportation, the environment and problem gambling.
Yokohama city officially expressed interest in an IR bid in August and the city council passed a supplementary budget that included JPY260 million for related expenses in September. The municipality plans to finalize an implementation policy in 2020 and will start a public offering and selection process for an operator.
Yokohama hopes to select its operator by 2021 and open for business in the late 2020s.
