A briefing session for local businesses was held on 18 November in Sasebo city, Nagasaki prefecture in which prospective IR operator Casinos Austria International Japan (CAIJ) participated.
The briefing session was held by the Sasebo Chamber of Commerce and Industry and attracted more than 1,000 attendees from local companies, some located outside the prefecture and officials from local governments, demonstrating a high level of interest.
According to reports from media outlets such as NHK, Akio Hayashi, the President of CAIJ, which was recently named as Nagasaki’s preferred partner to develop an integrated resort in Sasebo City, also attended the briefing session.
“Because the casino image comes first, there are those in support and in opposition, but what we are aiming for is regional revitalization,” he is reported as stating. “We will do our best to win this national project and make a contribution for everyone.”
Prefectural officials have emphasized the economic ripple effect expected from attracting domestic and overseas visitors, along with the boost to local employment to develop not only a casino but also a large-scale MICE facility and hotel.
The prefecture and CAIJ will prepare their area development plan for application to the central government by 28 April 2022. The national government intends to certify a maximum of three locations for an IR.