Governor Koike says Tokyo needs to consider IR bid

In a development that has potential to reshape the IR race in Japan, Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike indicates that she is willing to consider an IR bid for the Japanese metropolis.

Speaking at her regular Friday press conference on July 6, Governor Koike stated, “I have heard that former Governor Shintaro Ishihara was very passionate about his casino concept. It may be that casinos, as part of an IR, could earn a lot of money. There are many possibilities. I have also heard stories about adverse effects. Include those issues, we need to consider it.”

Tokyo has not been considered a realistic candidate for the first round of IR licensing, largely because it is already very busy preparing for the 2020 Olympics, and also because the governor had never before indicated such an interest.

It has been said that if Tokyo does make an IR bid, the most likely candidate sites would be either in Odaiba or the Tsukiji area, although Governor Koike did not touch on that issue in her press conference.

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