Japan’s three IR candidates not all guaranteed winners

Japan’s three IR license candidates are preparing their plans to submit to the central government for consideration next year, with the coast now looking clear from any potential political hiccups, such as the one that derailed Yokohama’s aspirations in August.

In this week’s Face-to-Face, Bay City Ventures Managing Director Joji Kokuryo explains that although three bids will be put forward there is no guarantee that Tokyo will award all three concepts. There’s a chance that Japan’s much-vaunted IR market will be a lot smaller in its early years than anyone had originally anticipated.