The Yokohama city council plenary session, held on Tuesday 23 March, saw the passing of a JPY207.3 billion (US$1.9 billion) budget for 2021, of which JPY360 million (US$3.3 million) is earmarked for IR promotion.
The budget was backed by Liberal Democratic Party member Masaki Okuwa and Masaharu Takahashi of Komeito. Okuwa said, “The proposed budget is ambitious, with an eye on the future, despite the current hardships.”
Regarding a post-COVID IR he added, “We need to proceed so that it becomes the core that generates new connections of endless potential.”
Opposition party members Kotaro Fujisaki, Norio Onuki and Yuki Toyota made their displeasure known.
“The issue is that there is no intent to explain to the city’s residents, despite the increased risk,” said Fujisaki, claiming that thorough information should be disclosed to local citizens.
Onuki added, “You’re ignoring the fact that casinos are a dying industry,” questioning the economic effects an IR would provide Yokohama.
