Anti-casino group launches street protests in Wakayama

A new citizens group called “Stop Casino Wakayama Association” has begun the prefecture’s first organized campaign of street protests.

The first event held on Saturday gathered about twenty people, including at least one city councilman, outside Wakayama Castle. They gathered signatures from passersby who are opposed to local IR development.

Stop Casino Wakayama Association was formed near the end of February by about 150 local citizens.

One representative of the group told the local media, “In Osaka and Yokohama, the movement to bid for an IR has been stalled due to the influence of the new coronavirus, but Wakayama is promoting these activities regardless. If we accept an IR, we will not be able to turn back even if they create great harm later, so we must speak out against them now.”