Wakayama City's Wakayama Citizen's Association for Pros and Cons of Attracting Casinos gathered 20,000 signatures and submitted a petition asking the city to enact an ordinance to hold a referendum on whether to approve or disapprove of an IR. The city will hold deliberations by the 27th of this month. A year ago, in Yokohama, a similar request was made by a civic group asking whether a referendum should be held, but the request was rejected by the city council. Oddly enough, the Wakayama mayoral election will be held in August this year.

In addition, Wakayama has already signed a contract with a Canadian IR operator and plans to apply for a national zone certification review by April this year.

*Wakayama's IR business plan is also explained in detail at the IGS seminar.