The Yokohama Citizens’ Group to Decide on a Casino, which is opposed to an IR bid for Yokohama city, has met with the city council to demand it enacts a referendum ordinance on whether an IR bid should proceed.
The demand, issued on Wednesday, comes after the group’s petition to request a referendum on the issue garnered more than 200,000 signatures – triple the required amount. The number of valid signatures confirmed by the city stands at 193,193.
The group will submit a request directly to Yokohama city on 23 December, along with the ordinance proposal. The ordinance must, by law, be considered by the city council within 20 days, but there remains a strong possibility it will be rejected as the majority of council members are active supporters of IR development.
According to The Nikkei, the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the city council met with Setsu Kobayashi, co-representative of the citizens’ group, and others this week where they received the referendum request and exchanged opinions.
According to Kobayashi, the Chairman responded that council would consider their request in accordance with the law. They also exchanged views on pachinko and public gambling.