The greatest opportunity to hit the gaming industry since Macau more than 15 years ago, the bidding war for Japan’s three IR casinos is underway.

There will soon be three Japan casino licenses up for grabs, and a recent government survey found that at least eight areas, and as many as 11, are interested in welcoming one of the multibillion-dollar integrated resorts (IR).

Japan Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism Kazuyoshi Akaba revealed that the results of the government-commissioned survey gauging interest among area officials came out better than expected. GGRAsia – the online media source focused on Asian gaming matters – reported the findings.

The tourism chief identified the eight interested as Hokkaido Prefecture, Chiba city, Tokyo Prefecture, Yokohama city, Nagoya city, Osaka Prefecture, Wakayama Prefecture, and Nagasaki Prefecture.

The results are from a survey of local officials conducted between September 9-19. Kazuyoshi’s agency will now begin the process of reaching out to those regions that expressed interest to further discuss the IR bidding and licensing process. (Source)

Galaxy Entertainment Group Vice Chairman Francis Lui says the company has already responded to the Requests for Concept (RFC) or Requests for Information (RFI) of eight Japanese prefectures and cities, and is currently preparing a ninth, following news that Osaka is set to launch its Request for Proposal (RFP) process before the end of the year.

Osaka prefecture and city announced their implementation policy draft on Thursday, stipulating the conditions required of operators for an IR in Yumeshima and outlining plans to launch its RFP by December. Japan’s national government also revealed earlier this week that it would accept IR certification applications in early 2021.

Abe is trying to expand the tourism industry in Japan, but casinos remain highly unpopular among the general public. A nationwide poll conducted by the Kyodo news agency earlier this year found that more than 65 percent of citizens are “outright opposed” to the integrated resorts.