# Wakayama avoids IR reset now, says governor

Wakayama Prefecture in Japan does not have to "give away" the opportunity to have a casino complex despite the rejection of the integrated resort (IR) table plan at the prefectural council on April 20.


This is what Yoshinobu Nishaka, the prefectural governor, said at a regular press briefing on Tuesday.

"The prefecture should take a second chance to apply to the (national) government," Mr. Nishaka said, according to data collected by GGRA's Japan correspondent.

"The current Congress voted against the plan. But most of them are in favor of IR and against the plan and the group behind it," the governor added.

Ahead of the April 20 vote, local political representatives have repeatedly expressed concern over the lack of clarity on the proposed 470 billion yen (about $3.7 billion) fundraising by Wakayama's chosen private sector partner, Clarevest Nim Ventures KK.

"Some of them say that the prefecture is likely to do IR again in a better way. If that works out, the prefecture should "take the opportunity,"" Mr Nishaka said, referring to members of the current parliament.

In a statement on the day of the vote, the current governor said not applying this time was "not to lose the opportunity to try again."

Although in comments to the media that day, he said the accusations by the current parliament were a "bitter hit" after years of work.

Under Japan's existing liberalization program, up to three casino resorts can be allowed nationwide.

Osaka and Nagasaki submitted their respective IR district development plans to the national government on Tuesday ahead of the deadline on Thursday (28 April), the only two Japanese prefectures left in the current Japanese IR race.

The GGRA's correspondent said there was speculation that new applications might open soon, as quotas at resorts allowed under the liberalisation programme in Japan exceed the number of current application prefectures.

Industry commentators told GGRAsia in August that the Japanese government may decide not to grant licenses to any of the applicants in the current round, which could leave several licensing opportunities to consider depending on other schedules and scenarios.

The industry expects a final decision on the current application to be made this fall. Under the rules, existing applicants will be evaluated twice each by national authorities.

The first Japanese casino resort is likely to only open later in the decade, according to comments from previous local governments.

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