October 11, 2020

The Tourism Agency on October 9 announced that it will postpone for nine months the application deadline for local governments to submit bids to host a casino-centric integrated resort (IR) due to the COVID-19.

With this revision in the draft of the government "basic policy", municipalities hoping to invite an IR will submit their bids during the period "between October 2021 and April 2022".

Under the previous draft, the application period was "from January 2021 to July 2021".

The IR project has been under public criticism following the revelation of a casino-related bribery scandal involving a state minister in charge of IR promotion. In addition to this, the COVID-19 pandemic has put the project on hold.

However, the government led by Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide is making clear its position to continue with the IR promotion.

In the revised draft of the "basic policy", the Suga government requires host municipalities to take measures against corruption, the COVID-19 pandemic, and gambling addiction.

Past related articles:
> JCP Koike: Money scandal-tainted lawmaker Akimoto should immediately step down [August 25, 2020]
> Casino promotion disappears from draft of PM Abe’s economic growth strategy [July 10, 2020]