8月30日に、長崎県から、「九州・長崎IR設置運営事業予定者と基本協定を締結し、CASINO AUSTRIA INTERNATIONAL JAPAN(CAIJ)に決定した」ことが公表されました。佐世保をはじめとする長崎県や九州では、期待が盛り上がってきています。まず、CAIJの経営理念として、①安心安全、②魅力あるIR、③地域貢献が掲げられています。そして、信頼性と継続性が最重要で、「有害な影響の排除、並びに徹底したコンプライアンス確保」に最も重点を置いた、世界最高水準の事業運営の実現に努めることが謳われています。カジノ・オーストリア・インターナショナル自体はオーストリア政府の関連企業で、欧州で長年、カジノを含む施設を運営してきた歴史があります。次に経済効果にいついては、総事業費(開業時)3,500億円、経済波及効果(運営等)3,200億円、九州内の雇用創出効果は3万人の見込みです。延べ来訪者数は、年間840万人、最短で2027年度中の開業を目標としていると同社は説明しています。今はまだIR事業者の選定が終わった段階で、9月から区域整備計画を作成し、来年4月までに国に対して、計画の認定申請をしなければなりません。区域整備計画の認定・公示が国土交通大臣によって行われる時期は現時点では明らかにされておりません。佐世保の企業に関しては、佐世保商工会議所が9月に会員企業向けのアンケートを実施しており、IRをチャンスととらえ、総じて前向きに準備を進めるとの回答が多いようです。例えば、IR施設に対して期待できることとして、①雇用創出が見込まれること、特に若者の雇用の場が増えること、②佐世保市の税収増加につながること、③日本人観光客増加が期待できること、などが上がっています。また、IR事業者や取引業者との取引をしたいという回答が約半分を占めています。IR整備によって地域経済や観光の姿が大きく変わることはもちろんですが、佐世保市を中心とする地域について、①定住人口増加に伴う、住宅・寮、通勤交通手段確保、②自治体と連携した住環境の整備(病院、ショッピングモール、公園、教育機関など)、③佐世保市と連携したIR区域のスマート化、④県警と連携した治安維持対策、⑤国際観光人材育成を行うために、長崎県内の教育機関・行政と連携、などが考えられます。これ以外にも、行政が行う、上下水道、道路整備、都市計画見直し、空港からのアクセス改善など、インフラ整備が進むと考えています。今後の留意点としては、九州・長崎IR安全安心ネットワーク協議会準備会などとも連携して、社会的マイナス影響が出ないように配慮しつつ、事業を進めていく必要があると思います。また、本年4月には、九州経済界、議会、行政などが一体となった九州IR推進協議会が発足し、IRを中心としたビジネスネットワークや九州観光周遊についての具体的な検討が始まっています。本協議会には、県内経済界や市長会、町村会も加わっており、これらが連携しながらIR整備に向けた様々な準備が進められています。
NBC Radio "What to Expect from Kyushu-Nagasaki IR" 2021.10.26 Broadcast
On August 30, Nagasaki Prefecture announced that it has concluded a basic agreement with prospective persons for the establishment and operation of kyushu and Nagasaki IR, and has decided to CASINO AUSTRIA INTERNATIONAL JAPAN (CAIJ). Expectations are rising in Nagasaki Prefecture and Kyushu, including Sasebo.
Caij's management philosophy is (1) safety and security, (2) attractive IR, and (3) regional contribution. Reliability and continuity are paramount, and we are committed to achieving the world's highest level of business operations with the highest priority on "eliminating harmful effects and ensuring thorough compliance." Casino Austria International itself is a related company of the Austrian government and has a long history of operating facilities including casinos in Europe.
Next, the economic effects are expected to be 350 billion yen in total project expenses (at the time of opening), 320 billion yen for economic effects (operation, etc.), and 30,000 jobs in Kyushu. The company says it aims to open a total of 8.4 million visitors per year, at the earlieto in 2027.
Now that the selection of IR operators is still in place, we must prepare an area development plan from September and apply for certification of the plan to the government by April next year. At present, the timing when the recognition and public notice of the area development plan will be made by the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has not been clarified.
With regard to companies in Sasebo, the Sasebo Chamber of Commerce and Industry conducted a questionnaire for member companies in September, and many respondents said that IR is an opportunity and that they will proceed with preparations positively on the whole.
For example, what can be expected for IR facilities is that (1) job creation is expected, especially the employment opportunities for young people, (2) it will lead to an increase in tax revenue in Sasebo City, and (3) the increase in Japanese tourists is expected. In addition, about half of respondents want to do business with IR operators and traders.
Not only will the development of IRs greatly change the appearance of the local economy and tourism, but in areas centered on Sasebo City, (1) securing housing, dormitories, commuting transportation, (2) improving living environments in cooperation with local governments (hospitals, shopping malls, parks, educational institutions, etc.) in cooperation with local governments, (3) smart IR areas in cooperation with Sasebo City, (4) security maintenance measures in cooperation with the prefectural police, (5) In order to develop international tourism human resources, cooperation with educational institutions and governments in Nagasaki Prefecture is possible.
In addition, we believe that infrastructure development will progress, such as water supply and sewage, road improvement, city planning review, and improvement of access from airports conducted by the government.
As a point to note in the future, I think it is necessary to proceed with the project in cooperation with the Kyushu-Nagasaki IR Safety and Security Network Council Preparatory Committee, etc., while taking into consideration the social negative impact.
In April 2016, the Kyushu IR Promotion Council was established, which was integrated with the Kyushu business community, parliament, and government, and specific examinations began on IR-centered business networks and kyushu sightseeing tours. The council also includes the prefecture's business community, mayors' associations, and town and village associations, and various preparations for ir development are being made in cooperation with these councils.