Yokohama City, which is exploring the possibility of hosting an integrated resort (IR) featuring a casino, announced on Sept. 21 that it has received drafts of plans for setting up an IR in the city from 12 companies and groups in Japan and elsewhere. Mayor Fumiko Hayashi says that the plan to host an IR is still “up in the air.” The city will make a final decision based on the plans. The city also says that the submission of the draft plans will not affect the city’s selection of IR business operators if the city actually decides to have an IR.

The city says that the plans were submitted by eight IR business operators, two construction/real estate business operators, and two operators of other businesses. Four foreign IR operators told Kanagawa Shimbun that they have submitted draft plans and two of them said they selected Yamashita Pier, in the city’s Naka Ward, as the site. 

Companies that said they have submitted draft plans are Caesars Entertainment Japan, Melco Resorts and Entertainment Japan, Wynn Resorts, and MGM Resorts Japan. (Abridged)