In response to the policy for an IR bid at Yamashita Wharf announced by Yokohama city, a resident audit requested by the Kanagawa Residents Ombudsman was rejected by the city audit committee.
Local newspaper, Kanagawa Shimbun, reported that the ombudsman is not happy with this outcome and intends to file a citizen’s suit.
The ombudsman asked the city not to grant or lend the wharf’s municipal land to the operator. According to the city audit committee, “The IR facility development policy decisions have not been made by the city and the national government have not made any approvals, so it is not possible for us to say whether municipal land will be provided to the operator with any certainty.”
Further, the residents group, Yokohama resident’s group for casino decision, which opposes an IR, is demanding a referendum to ask residents whether the project should proceed. It will start collecting signatures for a petition from next month. 62,000 signatories are required for such action.
The association aims to submit a draft by-law to the city council’s regular meeting in September, but the city council has a majority in favor of an IR so it is unlikely to pass.
Another method to stymie progress on a Yokohama IR would be to recall the mayor and that would require approximately half a million signatures.
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