Nagasaki prefecture has announced its Fundamental Plan Proposal for an IR bid, with a development budget set at between JPY320 billion (US$3 billion) and JPY550 billion (US$5.1 billion).
The Proposal, which will be released on the prefecture’s website on Tuesday, accommodates the IR Development Act stipulating that any IR facility must include a large hotel, international conference hall and exhibition hall to accommodate at least 12,000 people.
Nagasaki is looking to develop an integrated resort on a plot of land it plans to acquire from popular Dutch-inspired theme park Huis Ten Bosch, located in Sasebo City.
Using the concept of Kyushu as a gateway to draw in the growth potential of the Asia region, Nagasaki is positioning itself to be a prominent candidate in the resort MICE space in Asia.
The prefecture will immediately start calling for business plans from IR operators, with a Fundamental Plan to be drafted by March next year based on the IR Development Law and Problem Gambling Countermeasures.
Nagasaki will select an operator by the fall of next year with a goal of opening in 2024.
According to paperwork presented at Nagasaki’s general affairs committee last Thursday, the area of the IR will be 31 hectares and will follow the national government’s enforcement ordinance stipulating that total guest room area of the hotel must be at least 100,000 square meters and floor area of the exhibition hall at least 20,000 square meters, while the international conference hall must have capacity for at least 6,000 people. The small and medium breakout rooms must have capacity of at least another 6,000. The expected number of visitors, economic reach and jobs created by the IR will be calculated based on the proposal.
Incorporating the traditions, culture and art of Japan and Kyushu, Nagasaki’s IR aims to utilize the Huis Ten Bosch marina and harbor as a marine resort. In the event of a disaster, the MICE facility will be available for use as an evacuation facility.
An admission fee of JPY6,000 will be imposed on Japanese residents as a measure to maintain public order and prevent against addiction. Identity will be confirmed using the Japanese My Number card system (the Japanese tax identification system) and family members will be able to request that entry be restricted. The Proposal also discusses issues such as transportation infrastructure and enhancing the local airport.
A maximum of three IR facilities will be approved by the national government next year, with Nagasaki, Osaka, Wakayama and Yokohama all having confirmed their plans to bid. Hokkaido, Tokyo, Chiba and Nagoya are still considering whether to proceed.
