Yokohama city mayor Fumiko Hayashi says she expects the spread of the novel coronavirus will affect the city’s IR operator recruitment schedule this year, although she expects the impact to be limited.
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Hayashi said, “There has been a real overlap, but [the spread] will subside within a certain period of time.”
Hayashi reiterated the necessity of a Yokohama IR for its economic benefits. The recruitment of operators will begin amidst a shrinking economy, with the mayor stating, “It’s unfortunate this has overlapped.”
Nevertheless, she denied any concern that operators may not be as willing to enter the Japanese market if the economy continues to decline.
“I believe that operators will make rational decisions. Even if some back out, that doesn’t mean there will be no interest,” she said.
Hayashi also mentioned the possibility of a supplementary budget next year at a conference regarding measures for the COVID-19 pandemic on the same day.
“There is information that there will be a supplementary budget after the national government’s budget for the new fiscal year,” she said. “If that’s the case, the city will also take measures to draw up the necessary supplementary budget.”
