The plan was revealed on Tuesday by Toshiya Morishige, Secretary General of the IR Promotion Headquarters, at a study session for municipalities hosted by the Japan IR Association and taking place in the 2nd House of Representatives diet member’s hall. The process of developing Japan’s IR has been on schedule since the promulgation of the IR Development Act in July of last year.
“The IR Promotion Headquarters is currently proceeding with three lines of work. Of these, a government bill is in the works. We intend to complete the procedures this fiscal year for implementation on 1 April,” Morishige said.
As well as establishment of a Casino Administration Committee, the three lines of work also include preparation of a government ordinance and preparing a basic policy to be drafted by the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.
This also includes the collection of public comments regarding the “IR (specified complex tourist facilities region) Development and Promotion Ordinance (draft)” as announced on 1 February and previously reported by IAG. The deadline for these comments was 4 March.
Morishige also explained at Tuesday’s meeting the basics of International Conference Halls and Exhibition facilities, with MICE to form an essential part of Japan’s IRs.
Japan is looking to make its IR MICE facilities among the largest in the world, with an international conference hall with a maximum capacity of over 6,000 people. Currently the largest in Japan are the Tokyo International Forum and Pacific Yokohama with capacities of 5,000.
This enormous exhibition hall is expected to cover more than 120,000 square meters, far exceeding Tokyo Big Sight’s 95,000 square meters.
Source: GMB / Asgam.com
