Yokohama city examined a petition regarding an IR bid from its residents at the City Council Building, Urban Development and Road Committee on 11 September.
The petition was titled “Withdrawal of Casino IR Bid Plan and Formulation of New Business Plan Independent of Casino.”
It made two demands – the withdrawal of the IR bid which has now significantly differed from what was previously described, and implementation of a new business plan that does not include an IR and which can be implemented even in a post-COVID-19 world.
Masato Yamashita, a member of the city council (Liberal Democratic Party), said, “I do understand the sentiment of the petitioners. I hate gambling and do not gamble. There are some in the LDP as well who do not like it.”
However, he continued, “This opposition campaign from residents when nothing has been decided is only based on liking or hating gambling. I do not want to have a conversation that will divide Yokohama city.
“Regarding an IR, I would like you to try and understand more [because there may be misunderstandings among the residents].”
He asked that the city promote more understanding among its residents.
Regarding the request for a business plan that does not include a casino IR, Yasuhiko Furuya, a member of the committee (Communist Party), asked the city, “Was there a business plan submitted that does not rely on a casino in the RFC?”
The city replied, “Some proposals in the RFC do not include a casino. The committee rejected the petition with its small number of supporters.”
RelatedPosts
