In light of Nagasaki prefecture and Sasebo city’s efforts to develop an IR at Huis Ten Bosch, the Egami area local joint council – a locality adjacent to the candidate area – met with Sasebo Mayor Norio Tomonaga last week and submitted documentation stating there had been insufficient explanation of plans.
In particular, the documentation expresses concern over the potential stagnation and retreat of local welfare as a result of an IR. The prefecture and the city have held briefings in several locations, but the document argues this is “insufficient for neighboring localities such as Egami”.
It continues, “At the current time, there is no consensus between the promotors of this project and residents in the local areas, and we absolutely cannot understand or cooperate with further promotion in the current circumstances.”
They are hoping for a response policy by the 25 March. The local joint council is an organization of local residents based on the philosophy that “a town is built by its residents.” The council plans to submit similar documentation to the prefecture on 17 March.
Nagasaki is aiming to finalize and publish its implementation policy this month with a Request for Proposal to commence in April. Applications for certification of an IR area will be accepted from 1 April 2021 to 30 July 2021.
