Some locals are not in favor of the proposed integrated resort plan for Wakayama. Some residents of the prefecture are currently organizing a petition for a referendum on the proposal of the prefecture to build an integrated resort.
Some residents believe that the topic should be open for discussion. They say they were not allowed to comment on the proposal, and now they want to have a say, ABC TV reports.
More than 6,200 signatures are required to request a referendum from the mayor. The citizen-led groups have collected over 3,000 signatures so far and expect to collect another 20,000 by Dec. 5.
Wakayama Struggles with IR Plans
Yokohama also hosted a referendum campaign organized by those who opposed an IR. In August, the city elected an IR-opposing candidate to the office of mayor. Residents groups collected 193,000 signatures in support of that referendum. , another Japanese prefecture that had once been seen as a target for an IR,
Wakayama finds unexpected resistance from the local community as it prepares to discuss its IR plans. Community-led efforts could lead to the prefecture having to withdrawal from the IR race.
The Yokohama municipality council debated a draft ordinance proposal. The referendum was not held because the majority had rejected the ordinance. Takeharu Yamanaka, a stout opponent of IRs coming to Japan, was elected to the August mayoral elections. The city’s attempt to be IR-compliant was effectively ended by this election.
Wakayama Will Continue Pushing IR Plans Forward
The Wakayama prefecture has selected Clairvest Neem Ventures to operate and build an IR in the prefecture. Caesars Entertainment was selected to be the new operator of the casino after they signed a basic contract.
The prefecture’s preferred candidate is currently working with the local government to create an area-development plan to submit to the Japanese Diet before the April 28 deadline. It’s too early to determine if the recent pushback will impact the prefecture’s plans; however, the timing of the resistance – less than six months before the deadline – isn’t good for the project.
Wakayama will hold a series of discussions in preparation for the submission to provide updates to the community about what’s happening. Between Nov. 25 and Dec. 4, 14 locations will host public briefings. Marina City, where the IR would most likely be built, will host one briefing.
The program will also include seven additional locations. These meetings are designed to give a general overview of the development of the plan. The IR proposal consists of a Q&A session by the prefecture to address citizens’ concerns.
Time’s Running Out in Japan
Osaka, Nagasaki, Wakayama and Yokohama were once seen as the most likely candidates to host IRs when the picture began to come into focus.
First, Yokohama dropped out, leaving only three potential locations in the running for what are expected to be three initial licenses. However, the Japanese Diet, should it believe that Wakayama locals aren’t supportive of the concept, could leave the prefecture off the selection list.
Should that happen, Osaka and Nagasaki would be the only two targets remaining in what had initially been a field of more than eight. Several local governments that showed interest two years ago dropped out quickly, with others falling off as the process has dragged on. Because the Diet can initially choose up to three locations, it also could choose only one or, in theory, none.
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