Hokkaido is considering including operating expenses in the general accounting budget for a future IR bid.
The policy reflects the attitude of Governor Naomichi Suzuki, who has said he will continue work for an IR despite announcing late last year that Hokkaido would not bid to develop an integrated resort when the national government starts accepting applications in January 2021.
The related project cost is expected to be tens of millions of yen.
Governor Suzuki announced in the Hokkaido Council on 29 November 2019 that “it is not possible to give proper consideration to the environment before certification,” and that he was withdrawing from the IR race. However, the Governor also commented, “We will make the necessary preparations so we are ready for the challenge when the time comes.”
The candidate site, Tomakomai City, has announced that it had not given up hope of developing an IR, aiming to attract foreign visitors by utilizing the area’s natural tourist resources. The city has also promised to conduct its own independent environmental survey.
Further, Hard Rock Japan’s Ado Machida told Inside Asian Gaming, “We will continue to do our best to promote an IR bid for Hokkaido.”
