Inside Asian Gaming

IAG JAPAN MAR 2019 48 JAPAN IAG:Whatdirect stepsarebeingtakenfor IRdevelopment? KH: We have made use of the video screens in 3,000 of Osaka’s taxis and also wraps on the outside of tourist buses in the cities to promote an IR. We are also taking initiatives for problem gambling. IAG: The Osaka IR Fundamentals Plan is forecasting annual sales of JPY480 billion for an Osaka IR. What are your thoughts? KH: We are involved in the attraction enhancement facility and the customer service facility known as facilities #3 and #4. Our specialties are conveying our charms, such as food, history and culture, and bringing people to these sites. It is critical that the entire region benefits. IAG: What will be the deciding factor for the IR bid? KH: The IRwill include facilities #1 (international conference center) and #2 (exhibition hall) among others, but what will set us apart are the #3 and #4 facilities as with Singapore, which Japan is using heavily as a reference. It goes without saying, that is the key in this case too. IAG: IR誘致の決め手になるのは？ KH: 「IR施設は1号施設（国際会議場）、2号施設（展示施設）などもある が、日本が参考にしようとするシンガポールでも勝負を分けたのは3、4 号。言うまでもなく、今回もそこがポイントとなるはずだ」 IAG: 海外事業者へ。パートナーを組む条件は？ KH: 大阪が一番良くなると思えるところ。つまり私たちの要望を取り入 れてくれるところと組む。コンペに勝つのが目的だ。組むとなれば、最 終的には条件を詰め、契約を結ぶことになる」 IAG: 手応えを感じるか？ KH: 「IR業者も地域貢献を意識するようになった。その観点からMGMが 一歩リード。メルコが追い上げている、と聞く」 IAG: 近い将来、100社会として考えていることは？ KH: 「国内外からの雇用、特に西日本からの雇用を拡大したい。それに 合わせて人材研修にも取り組んでいきたい。雇用拡大が一番」 IAG: What would the conditions be for a partnership with an overseas operator? KH: They have to be thinking of how to contribute to Osaka first. In other words, we will partner with someone who will incorporate our wishes. The goal is to beat the competition. If we do partner with someone, we will discuss the final conditions and enter into a contract. IAG: What is the response so far? KH: The IR operators have become more conscious of contributing to the region. From that perspective, MGM has a leg up. But I hear that Melco is catching up. IAG: What does the Local Alliance have in mind for the immediate future? KH: We want to expand employment from both inside Japan and overseas, especially employment from Western Japan. We want to take initiatives for personnel training as part of that. Expanding employment is the top priority.