Hideaki Omura, the governor of Aichi Prefecture, is now expected to clarify his position by the end of March on whether or not to support an IR bid for the city of Tokoname.
Chubu Airport Island in Tokoname is already in the process of economic development, but the question of seeking an IR license remains unanswered.
On August 3 of last year, Governor Omura launched a local committee of experts to consider the IR matter, and since that time the local business community has been holding in a wait-and-see pattern.
In a press conference on Monday, Governor Omura was asked about the issue, but gave a non-committal response: “I am paying close attention to the deliberations on the IR Implementation Bill with great interest,” he stated.
On the other hand, his comments on gambling addiction did suggest that he was leaning forward, “The prefecture needs to make a plan and collaborate with medical institutions.”
The Tokoname IR concept is to utilize the man made island upon which sits the Chubu Centrair International Airport. This is the nation’s 8th busiest airport, having served more than ten million passengers in 2015.
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