Japan

The IR Basic Plan, which is to lay out in more substantial detail the requirements and processes to make IR bids, is now expected to be published in November, according to a report in the Sankei Shinbun.

The Nagasaki Prefectural Government, which claims to be in discussions with about twenty companies interested in forming or joining an IR consortium, is reportedly aiming to choose its IR consortium partners by the autumn of 2020, possibly quicker than any other local government in Japan.

Hokkaido Governor Naomichi Suzuki, who has already signaled a go-slow approach on the matter, is now expected to delay until early 2020 his final decision on whether or not to go forward with an IR bid.

Now that the House of Councillors election has passed, it is expected that the Casino Management Board candidates will be examined by the National Diet in this autumn’s Extraordinary Session, and that the Board will be formally established in January 2020, about six months later than had been originally envisioned.

Following the Kyushu-Nagasaki IR Business Connect Seminar held in June, the Sasebo Chamber of Commerce and Industry is pushing forward with a pair of initiatives that aim to deepen their engagement with IR operators that have interest in the Huis Ten Bosch location.

On Monday, the Osaka city government held the first meeting of its “Yumeshima Development Promotion Headquarters” at the City Hall building under the direct leadership of Mayor Ichiro Matsui. Officials from the prefectural government, such as Vice-Governor Seigo Tanaka, were also in attendance.

Sega Sammy Holdings recorded a group-wide 72.7 billion yen (about US$673 million) net income in the April-June 2019 period, representing a 5.7% year-on-year increase. Operating profits reached 3.4 billion yen (about US$31 million) for the quarter, which was a 265% increase over the 2018 figure.

The Galaxy Entertainment EuroJapan Cup drew 65,000 soccer fans to watch the friendly match between the English Premier League 2019 Champions Manchester City and Japan’s Yokohama F. Marinos, which the English team won 3-1.

Dynam Japan Holdings, the largest pachinko company measured by its number of parlors, reported to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange a 1.2% increase in total revenues in the March-June 2019 period, boosted by its low playing cost halls.

Melco Resorts & Entertainment has entered into its first sports partnership in Japan by becoming a sponsor for the Yokohama F. Marinos J1 League football club.