Yokohama Mayoral Candidates Present Unified Opposition to Integrated Resort Plans

All seven candidates in the Yokohama mayoral race have ruled out seeking an integrated resort with a casino for the city.

That position is detailed in candidate statements and materials reviewed by GGRAsia’s Japan correspondent. The election is due on October 18. The campaign period opened on Sunday in the port city of 3.7 million residents, situated 35 kilometres south of Tokyo. The next national window to apply for up to two Japanese casino-resort licences runs from early May to November 2027.

Campaign Efforts to Center IR Opposition

Takeharu Yamanaka, an independent candidate who resigned as mayor last month amid allegations of ill-treatment of staff, sought to make the IR question central to the poll. Yamanaka aimed to capitalize on opposition to such a scheme. The Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan also sought to frame resistance to the IR concept as an electoral issue.

Media reports referenced a suggested resurgence of interest on the city council and in the business community. On September 24, however, Toru Sakakura, vice chairman of the Yokohama Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said at a press conference that the body would not ask candidates to pledge work on an IR. Sakakura stated: “Clear opposition of Yokohama citizens on having an IR has been confirmed in the 2021 mayoral election and the issue has already been settled.”

Yokohama’s Prior Stance and Japan’s Limited IR Pipeline

After his election in August 2021, Yamanaka announced that Yokohama would not bid to host an IR in the first round of national applications. Prior to that, Genting Singapore Ltd, operator of Resorts World Sentosa, and Melco Resorts and Entertainment Ltd had been identified as potential commercial partners for any Yokohama licence.

Japan has approved only one IR so far: the MGM Osaka project developed by MGM Resorts International with local partners including Orix Corp. The JPY1.51-trillion (US$9.57-billion) development is due to open at the end of 2030. With all candidates aligned against an IR, the city’s position appears settled ahead of the 2027 application period.

Reporting: GGRAsia

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