Wakayama Publishes Policy Draft for IR Implementation

Japan’s Wakayama prefecture has published the local government’s “draft integrated resort (IR) implementation policy.” A consultation period with “interested parties” will run until March 3, according to the information confirmed to GGRAsia.

Wakayama’s draft IR policy outlines what facilities it expects private-sector partners to provide. The shopping list includes a wish to see a casino resort distinctive from anything offered in other Japanese regions. It also stated that the casino floor area could not exceed 3% of the total area of the proposed IR.

The Wakayama prefectural government told GGRAsia that its IR implementation policy was aimed at promoting the development of a casino complex that drew on the prefecture’s existing tourism attractions, including natural landmarks, historic sites, availability of hot springs and its unique food culture.

The document also sets out the selection criteria for choosing a private-sector partner for the IR scheme. The prefecture also said it aimed to launch in “late March or the beginning of April” a request-for-proposal (RFP) process to choose a private-sector partner.