Nagasaki prefecture has signed a basic agreement with its preferential candidate to develop an integrated resort, Casinos Austria International Japan (CAIJ) – becoming the second prefecture in Japan to do so.
Nagasaki Governor Hodo Nakamura said Monday, “We have signed a basic agreement with Casinos Austria International Japan, formalizing the company as the facility construction and operator.
“CAIJ draws on its global business performance, including in Europe, providing a business proposal to realize the highest international standard of IR that is both traditional and luxurious, and in harmony with Huis Ten Bosch’s landscape. We will proceed with preparing the area development plan to apply for certification by the deadline of 28 April 2022.
“Moving forward, we will continue to take every measure to minimize concerns around problem gaming and we will focus on realizing a Kyushu/Nagasaki IR that will revitalize tourism industries and the local economy that have been badly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, revitalize the broader Kyushu region and, as a consequence, Japan.”
Casinos Austria estimates that the total project cost will be JPY 350 billion (US$3.2 billion) and the number of annual visitors will be 8.4 million. Under the concept of “Fusing East and West Cultures – Realizing a True Japanese-Western Blend”, the prefecture hopes to, “Inherit the historical culture of Kyushu and Nagasaki, realizing a ‘tourism industry revolution’ with a traditional high-end IR facility leveraging the strengths of the Austrian state-owned group and Nagasaki as a focus and aiming to be an international city where Kyushu, Japan, Asia and the world meet.”
Akio Hayashi, president and CEO of CAIJ, said, “I am happy and, at the same time I am bracing myself. We will work closely with Nagasaki and other Kyushu prefectures as well as the local community to achieve an attractive Kyushu/Nagasaki IR that is safe and beneficial for the whole of the Kyushu region.”
Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz and Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Margarete Schramböck also commented via the company’s website.
“I am delighted that an Austrian company is taking an active part on the international stage,” said Kurz.
“In particular, we have a very good political relationship with Japan. This is precisely why we offer our support for Austrian companies to succeed in the Japanese market. I am very pleased that CAI will be taking that step into Japan.”
A Nagasaki prefectural official told IAG, “The agreement was concluded after confirming what costs will be the responsibility of the operator, matters relating to the acquisition of the land for the IR and an integrity survey of the consortium members, financing and so on.”
Confirmation of CAI as official partner comes amid allegations from fellow bidders Oshidori International and NIKI & Chyau Fwu (Parkview) Group that that the RFP process was not conducted fairly and that both were asked to withdraw.
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