A new council formed earlier this week to promote the development of an integrated resort in Nagasaki, Japan, will hold its first seminar in Sasebo City in June.
As reported by Inside Asian Gaming, Kyushu IR Promotion Council (KIRC) was officially launched on Monday with an inauguration ceremony held at Hotel New Otani Hakata in Fukuoka.
KIRC consists of representatives of the Kyushu Governor’s Association, the Kyushu Prefectural Assembly Chairpersons’ Association, the Kyushu Economic Federation and other Kyushu economic organizations.
It was revealed Monday that KIRC plans to hold its inaugural seminar to promote local procurement in the IR industry in June in Sasebo City, where authorities are hoping to develop an integrated resort on a site at Dutch-inspired theme park Huis Ten Bosch.
According to a joint declaration of the council, “Kyushu is geographically close to Asia, and has been colored by a history of exchange with countries around the world since ancient times, welcoming many visitors in its development. Even today, it still plays an important role as a gateway connecting Japan with the rapidly growing Asian region.
“Therefore, an integrated resort (IR) bid in Kyushu as part of becoming an advanced tourist country will attract global MICE demand and tourism inbound to Kyushu, spread the appeal of Kyushu and Japan to the world, and the Kyushu economy. As a result, this is a chance for the Japanese economy to grow and develop dramatically.
“We, the Kyushu IR Promotion Council, will energize Kyushu with our efforts and connect it to the next generation by bringing IR to Kyushu with an eye to our post-corona society.
“For that reason, we will carry out three activities while maintaining fair and impartial dialogue with our partner IR companies.”
Those activities are aiding a successful IR bid, securing local procurement to meet IR demand and promoting the attractions of the Kyushu region.
Monday’s inauguration ceremony saw Yutaka Aso, Chairman of KIRC, Katsusada Hirose, Chairman of the Kyushu Regional Governor’s Association (Governor of Oita Prefecture), and Hodo Nakamura, Governor of Nagasaki Prefecture, provide short greeting speeches.
Aso is the Chairman of Aso Cement Co Ltd and also Chairman of the Kyushu Economic Federation. Former Prime Minister, current Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Taro Aso is his older brother.