Brief news about the Yokohama Minatomiarai Casino in 2018 (from the latest to oldest news)

Opponents of the casino, human letters in Yamashita Park

● Kanagawa newspaper – Tuesday, November 20


On the 18th, a public meeting with opponents of the casino attraction in Yokohama city was held at Yamashita Park and about 200 citizens attended including members of parliament and city council members.


They adopted a resolution giving voice to opponents of the casino due to potential for gambling addiction and bad influences on youth being of high concern. They made human letters saying no to the casino. It was held by the Yokohama Liaison Group for the Casino Attraction Opponents.

American casino operator, announced Yokohama IR idea plan and assumed the location to be at Yamashitafuto

● Sankei newspaper – Friday, September 28


For the IR including a casino, executives of America’s largest casino operator who are aiming to enter into the casino business in Japan, Caesars Entertainment announced their casino idea plans on the 26th in Tokyo.


According to their plan, the theme of the IR facility in Yokohama city is a Wave. They assumed the location to be at Yamashita Futo and the building design to be mixed with multiple waves. Their thought is to unite Yokohama’s history and cultural art together with the entertainment. Their plan would have a casino, a large scale hotel and a MICE facility for International conferences and exhibition sets. They are also considering a public amenity facility, so that the locals could use it as well.



As for gambling addiction measures, they would utilize face authentication technology with smartphones to limit entry for those who seem to visit often and they would also consider introducing a system where an upper limit for bets can be set up. Jan Jones Blackhurst from Caesars Entertainment said that what they can do is prepare a reliable infrastructure for gambling and provide a solution.

94% of people are negative about the casino in Yokohama. 20% are in favour of the of Yokohama city mid term plan including an IR.

● Sankei newspaper – Saturday, September 15


The public comment for the mid term four year plan (2018 – 2021) of what Yokohama is making showed 20% positivity for the IR and over 90% was negative.


Fumiko Hayashi, the mayor of Yokohama city indicated that she felt again how the interest of citizens in the casino is large.



Yokohama city incorporated making consideration of national trends on the draft about the IR, and a total of 2,129 opinions were collected from 830 people and groups about the draft.


The opinions about the IR consisted of 20.3% in favour out of the 433 opinions. 407 opinions which is 94% were from opponents to the casino and they made points that the council should listen to what citizens think first and other such negative opinions.

22 businesses attended a Yokohama city IR brief explanatory meeting

● Kanagawa newspaper – Tuesday, August 21


For the IR attraction including a casino, on the 20th, Yokohama city held a explanatory meeting for businesses they are considering as businesses. 22 businesses and groups registered and attended. It was the first time for the city to meet with those after the IR Implement Bill was agreed and consideration is now on detailing work.


The city is going to summarise reports by the end of the financial year of 2018 and publish it. The report will basically mean this will be one of the materials for determining (whether the attraction is right or not) and so no date has been set for the decision.



The city has not decided if the attraction is right or wrong yet, but they did recruit idea plans in July for the purpose of information collection based on the idea of the IR being built in the city.

Public offering for Yokohama city IR idea plans, 22 businesses put their hands up

● Kanagawa newspaper – Wednesday, August 8


The city recruited idea plans on the scenario of the IR with a casino being set in Yokohama city and they published on the 7th that 22 businesses and groups put their hands up to be part of it.



The city is targeting using them as material to determine the attraction, so they are recruiting those idea plans with their economic effect, development concept and measures for gambling addiction. They will hold a pre explanatory on the 20th and ask for submissions for it between the 10th and 21st of September.


Also, the inside rule is enacted as well when city officials meet the businesses related to the IR. Interviews will be done by at least two or more and individual cell phones will not be used.

The chairman of Yokohama port transportation association is an opponent to the IR, but is keen on the International Exhibition in Yamashita Futo instead

● Kanagawa newspaper – Wednesday, June 20


The Yokohama port transportation association on the 20th held the annual general meeting in Naka ward, Yokohama city.


Yukio Fujiki, the chairman mentioned about Yamashita Futo which has been drawing attention as a place of gambling from around the world. He stated that with gambling comes addiction so he showed he is an opponent to the IR with a casino.



The Yokohama port transportation association will make a unique master plan with MICE (The International conference and exhibition), the core facility International exhibition, a concert and a theater hall, mid-long term stay accommodation and a quay for large cruise ships instead of placing the casino business in Yamashita Futo.

Doubting casino regulations, Opposition group of the casino attraction held a symposium in Yokohama

● Kanagawa newspaper – Sunday, June 10


A symposium against the IR attraction in Yokohama was held on the 9th at the wharf hall.


Lawyers who took the platform doubted the IR Implement Bill which is under deliberation saying ‘the casino regulations have not reached the world’s best level.’. They adopted the statement of constructing Yamashita Futo, one of the IR candidate places as an oasis for citizens.



It was held by the citizen group who has been carrying out a signature collection campaign against the attraction, the Casino attraction opponent Yokohama liaison group. Yokohama city is providing no opinion on where they stand regarding whether the IR attraction is right or wrong.

Yokohama mayor is going ahead on survey and analysis for the casino bill.

● Kanagawa newspaper – Saturday, May 26


As the IR Implement Bill went under deliberation, a lot of questions regarding the IR were asked at the Yokohama city explanation session on the 25th.


Fumiko Hayashi, the mayor said they have no opinion on whether the IR attraction is right or wrong and indicated that she is going forward with a survey and analysis.

Yokohama consider gambling addiction, opponents hold study meeting.

● Kanagawa newspaper – Thursday, March 15


On the 14th, Yokohama Transportation Association (Yukio Fujiki being the chairman) who is against the casino introduction to Yokohama harbor region held a study meeting with the public themed ‘Consider gambling addiction’ in Naka ward, Yokohama city, and about 500 people including members of the country, the prefecture and the council and citizens.


The government party is aiming to submit the IR Implement Bill to the parliament while making assurances on addiction measures as the world’s best level of regulation will be introduced.

American major IR operator watching Yokohama city’s actions carefully

● Kanagawa newspaper – Wednesday, February 28


In terms of IR development including a casino in Japan, the American major IR operator, Caesars Entertainment (HQ in Las Vegas) held an explanatory meeting for the media on the 27th in Tokyo.


Mark Frissora, the CEO mentioned four cities such as Osaka, Yokohama, Tokyo, Hokkaido and Tomakomai and introduced idea plans for each. They suggested cultural, art and entertainment for the Yokohama plan.


The executives mentioned how they are carefully observing what Yokohama city does and getting onto preparations for the proposals.

Casino brief news about Yokohama Minatomirai 2017 (from newest to oldest)

Yamashita Futo redevelopment is marching on and Yokohama struggles to move on negotiations

● Sankei newspaper – Wednesday, December 25


The plan to redevelop Yamashita Futo (naka ward in Yokohama city) where the Yokohama harbor area’s new hub of clouds is in a slump. That is because they haven’t finished negotiations with the two companies out of 12 companies as part of their first development including warehouse operators.


The city is indicating that, for the purpose of construction, it is looking to determine the outcome based on the progress of the negotiations with resident businesses to move locations as well as construction of the applicable infrastructure which originally had a target of 2020.



Redevelopment of Yamashita Futo would includes an appealing harbour style resort and the idea plan is to construct a cultural facility, an art facility, entertainment and accommodation across 47 hectares. The city is trying to complete the whole venture by 2025. It is said that it is the strongest potential candidate for the IR with a casino.


The Yokohama Transportation Association (Yukio Fujiki being the chairman) with port cargo handling operators is proposing a harbor resort equipped with MICE which is the biggest International exhibition in Japan.

Yokohama Transportation Association emphasized that the casino is not needed for the redevelopment of Yamashita Futo again.

● Kanagawa newspaper – Friday, September 15


Yukio Fujiki, the chairman of the association held a press conference at Yokohama Port and Bay People Association on the 14th in Nakaward, Yokohama city. They again emphasized that Yamashita Futo does not need a casino, so they do not want to go ahead with the IR plan that the chamber of commerce and industry and economic community are considering, but they want to redevelop a world scale tourism MICE facility with a conference venue, a training facility and a large hall for culture and art.



So, because of the difference in direction between the city and them, the association side is not accepting leaving or moving the area from Yamashita Futo.


However, they are happy to discuss a move forward with tourism MICE facility quickly, so will submit their business overview plan.

Election of mayor of Yokohama city, Fumiko Hayashi elected for the third term winning ahead of former house of representative members

● Asahi newspaper – Sunday, July 30


The Yokohama city mayor election votes were counted on the 30th and Fumiko Hayashi (71) was elected for the third term putting two down such as Daiki Ito (39), the former member of the municipal assembly and Kazuyoshi Nagashima (50), the former member of the house of representatives. The vote percentage was 37.21% (previously 29.05%).


Hayashi was recommended by the LDP and Komei as well as given support by the Kanagawa union and economy volunteers.


The attraction of the IR including a casino on what the Abe Cabinet is considering was one of the points of issue and Hayashi stepped in saying that she is considering introducing it in his election promise. Both Ito and Nagashima appealed that no casino was needed, but they weren’t successful in being elected.

[Yokohama mayor election] The three main candidates are all presented.

● Sankei newspaper – Wednesday, June 21


Daiki Ito (39), from the municipal assembly of the democratic party officially announced he would run as an independent candidate for the Yokohama city mayor election on the 20th, the notice of the election was made public on the 16th of July with votes to be counted on the 30th.


He is going to demote the idea of the IR attraction including a casino and promote school lunches for junior high schools.


He avoided mentioning when he would leave his current position and whether he would step down as a member of the municipal assembly and any associations with other parties.


Now, the three main candidates have all been presented as Kazuyoshi Nagashima (50), the former member of the house of representatives and Fumiko Hayashi (71), the current mayor aiming to get a third term as well, so finally the election competition has kicked in properly.

Hayashi, the current mayor of Yokohama city announced that she is going for a third term. LDP city union recommending

● Sankei newspaper – Wednesday, June 7


About the election of the Yokohama city mayor which will be counted on July 30, Fumiko Hayashi (71), officially announced she will go for a third term saying she wants to develop Yokohama to be larger and so she is dedicated to the coming election with her strong decision.


She is independent, but received recommendation from the LDP city union.



The only comment she made about the IR attraction including a casino is that gambling addiction measures should be considered, but the attraction has not been determined yet, the point at issue will be the casino. Details of the promise will be made and published later.


Kazuyoshi Nagashima (50), the former member of the house of representatives is officially standing for mayor and he is against the casino attraction.

Difficulty of redevelopment of Yamashita Futo, Yokohama city abandons contract in this financial year

● Kanagawa newspaper – Wednesday, February 8


The redevelopment of Yamashita Futo (Naka ward, Yokohama city) is going through some difficulties with its plan to make a new crowded hub of the Yokohama coastal region.


The city has been trying to negotiate with some warehouse operators in some areas where the development will start prior to the move, they will unfortunately abandon signing the contracts with them in this financial year which was their goal. They announced they will submit a related budget plan at the regular meeting of the city council on the 7th.


At the same time, the plan to complete the prior area for development in 2020 is going to be deferred.

Brief news about the Minatomirai Casino in Yokohama 2016 (from newest to oldest)

600 billion yen for the casino effect, redevelopment of the coastal area is the momentum as more than 60,000 new employees estimated

● Sankei newspaper – Saturday, December 3


Yamashita Futo is nestled next to Yamashita Park. It is 47 hectares of reclaimed land that was completed in 1963 by Yokohama city. If the casino is agreed upon, then this ground will be used as a candidate for construction.


Currently, in Yamashita Futo, the redevelopment plan is going ahead with commercial facilities and accommodation as it is located near a tourist spot. This part is planned to be opened with about 13 hectares in 2020 when the Tokyo Olympics will be on, so the Yokohama Transportation Association will structure it with warehouse operators and marine transportation businesses so Yokohama city are under consolidation.


According to the basic development plan made last September, the future vision of Yamashita Futo is supposed to be a harbor resort with an accomodation type resort and entertainment locations at its core, so redevelopment will be carried out based on casino approval.

Casino idea plan? A symposium will be held for the candidate Yokohama on the 23rd.

● Ovo – Tuesday, June 14


The casino idea plan has been drawing attention in the economic world as it can be a trigger for regional development.


The casino Implement Bill does have opponents who believe it is risktaking, so the parliament hasn’t made a conclusion yet.


As the viability of the casino implement bill is still uncertain and Yokohama city is one of the leading candidate places if a casino is agreed, a panel discussion with a variety of point of views about the casino idea plan will be held from 12pm on the 23rd of June at The Hotel New Grand in front of Yamashita Park (Naka ward, Yokohama city).


The panelists are Toru Mihara, the chief of the institute of the amusement industry and the professor of Osaka Sangyo University as he is an expert in casinos and Tanoi Kazuo the member of the Yokohama municipal assembly who is insisting on redevelopment of Yamashita Futo adopting a casino, and they will exchange discussions about the merits of a casino, the problems around solving issues and the direct influence on the area economically.


Admission will be 5,000 yen with a meal. Enquiries and applications at the sponsor, Josuikai Yokohama branch (in charge: Kenjiro Nakamura), Email: kennakamura@yasudamakoto.com, Phone: (+81)90-4021-3093, FAX: (+81)45-625-0931

Summary before 2015

In February, 2015, a casino IR attraction for Minatomirai, Yokohama city, Kanagawa came up as the leading candidate for development for the area as well as Osaka and they are aiming to open it before the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics.


In opposition to Takeshi Onaga, the governor of Okinawa who is not keen on the IR attraction, Hiroshi Nakada, the previous mayor and Fumiko Hayashi, the current mayor (from 2009) are both positive about a casino, so the history of the positivity towards development of the IR in Yokohama city has been going well so far.



Firstly, it was in 2009 when the casino idea plan became open for discussion with the concept of putting it in the unused property Yamashita Futo space.


At that time, there were plans for town making with Yokohama’s large environment and a convenient commute before the 150 year anniversary event of Yokohama Port called Yokohama Triennale with ideas such as the casino idea plan, the luxury cruise ship plan for overseas, the Jet Ocean plan with roller coasters gathered from all around the world, the urban type ropeway plan, a little monorail plan and the Haneda Airport expansion and global idea.


The casino idea plan was considered from a variety of styles from the world such as copying Las Vegas and Macau with a IR facility with hotels, restaurants, shopping malls, theaters, movie theaters, attractions, conference centers and business convention centers, or socialising type casinos like in Europe including Italy where they have hot spring spas and summer resorts together, or even casinos on cruises by using the big harbor bridge where luxury cruise ships visit from around the world.






As a result, in 2014, as Singapore succeeded on the introduction of two IR facilities such as Marina Bay Sands and Resort World Sentosa and became an International tourist spot, they decided use them as a reference point and made an aim of making a MICE type casino resort with hotels, shopping malls, movie theaters, attractions, conference centers, seminar venues and an International convention center.


Then, in April, 2014, the project team to attract the IR facility was inaugurated.



Also, in August of the same year, Keikyu Train announced that they were considering entering with a IR business in Yokohama, Yamashita Futo, Tokyo and Odaiba as they have access authority to Tokyo and Haneda Airport, the pachinko and slot major company, Sega Sammy Holdings, Mitsubishi Estate the major real estate company and Yukio Fujiki the chairman of Yokohama Transportation Association showed interest to enter into the Yokohama Casino business.







On September 14, 2015, the Yokohama Dorm construction plan was also conceived of with development in the Minatomirai region (Yamashita Futo), such as building a dorm on about 47 hectares and attracting foreign tourists through the synergy with the casino resort, so the active and positive topics about the casino attraction seemed to be continued in the future as well.