Citizens' groups oppose IR invitations Large-scale rally Yokohama December 22, 17:57
Citizens' groups opposing the invitation have held a large-scale rally at the proposed site, Yamashita Wharf, over an integrated resort facility, including a casino that Yokohama City aims to attract.
Yokohama City has announced its policy of inviting an IR including a casino to Yamashita Wharf in the Port of Yokohama with the aim of opening in the late 2020s.
On March 22, a group formed by citizens concerned about the deterioration of security and increased gambling dependence due to the invitation, held an opposition rally at the proposed site, Yamashita Wharf, and about 2,000 people gathered depending on the organizer.
At the rally, university students and housewives gave speeches such as "The mayor and the city's explanation and response at the briefing are insincere," "I want to leave Yokohama that does not rely on casinos for children," and other constitutional scholars. According to the opinion, "To stop the casino, you should go straight to Mayor Hayashi's recall."
At the same time, members of the opposition legislature who were present had raised criticism following a foreign exchange law violation involving a Chinese company seeking to enter the IR.
At the end of the rally, everyone said, "I don't need a casino, don't decide on my own."
A woman in her thirties said, "Yokohama is an attractive place, so I think it's wrong to create a gambling city."