Hard Rock plans to build a casino resort in Japan.
The popular entertainment company Hard Rock International is planning to establish a hotel-casino resort on the Japanese island of Hokkaido. They have partnered with several organizations for marketing purposes, including Nederlander Worldwide Entertainment, a Broadway operator from New York.
The enormous project was presented last week at the Japanese industry event Hokkaido IR Showcase. Hard Rock's CEO and Chairman, Jim Allen, explained that the proposed amusement resort aligns with the "World Class Entertainment Hard Rock Resort concept" and will be named Hard Rock Resort Japan.
According to Allen, the ambitious construction plans encompass both a casino complex and a Four Seasons Hard Rock Resort Hotel with a guitar-like shape. There will also be a concert hall, a multi-purpose Broadway-style theater, a high-tech wellness center, numerous high-end eateries, an International Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame, and a 1,500 square meter shopping center. Additionally, there are plans to build a monorail connection to nearby Chitose International Airport.
Regarding the design, Allen mentioned a cultural and inclusive aspect: the look of the leisure establishment was inspired by the Ainu, an indigenous people from northern Japan. Visitors to Hard Rock Resort Japan will also be able to experience an "authentic Ainu village" to foster "cultural exchange" and inform both residents in northern Japan and international tourists about the rich history of Japan. Allen expressed:
"We are thrilled about the prospect of introducing the Hard Rock family to the people of Hokkaido through a world-class entertainment resort. This will not only bring economic advantages to the local community but also serve as a gateway for learning more about Japan's unique heritage."
Meanwhile, to kick off marketing efforts in Japan, Allen has already confirmed Hard Rock's involvement in Hokkaido's highly acclaimed Sapporo Snow Festival, which will mark its 70th anniversary in 2019. To celebrate, Hard Rock is constructing a "gigantic snow sculpture" of the legendary Japanese anime rock star heroine Hatsune Miku, a holographic 3D vocaloid who now performs shows worldwide featuring a live band.
Deals with NY Yankees, HPL, and Nederlander
Looking towards Japan, the Hard Rock leader also revealed several significant collaborations in both the United States and the Asian region: Firstly, the long-standing restaurant partnership with the renowned New York Yankees baseball team will be carried over to Japan - specifically, a NYY steakhouse will be created, providing Japanese guests with a distinctive "Yankees experience."
Jim Allen also shared plans to work together with the Singapore-based HPL luxury resort group, which will ensure superior facilities, service, and accommodations for Hard Rock Japan visitors, particularly in managing the hotel operations.
The third component of the expansion revolves around the cooperation with the New York-based Broadway company Nederlander Worldwide Entertainment, which was established in 1912. The corporation has recently experienced great success with its King Kong production. It's no surprise that this triumph is now set to continue in Japan: according to the company's statement, Hard Rock will receive the sole rights to the show as part of the agreement. The plan is to make "first-class Broadway theater" accessible to Japanese spectators. Second-generation Nederlander CEO Robert Nederlander Jr. remarked about this:
"We have a long history in Asia and are looking forward to our partnership with Hard Rock and the Japanese market. We will construct a state-of-the-art Broadway theater in Hokkaido to provide both domestic and international attendees with a diverse range of popular stage performances throughout the year."
Additional Hard Rock Resorts in Development
Hard Rock International has three casino licenses in Japan and is currently considering further locations. Cities such as Okinawa, Osaka, Yokohama, Wakayama, Sasebo, and the capital city of Tokyo, with its 9 million inhabitants, are among the potential sites. No further specifications have been disclosed.
However, what is known is that the acquisition of Hard Rock is part of the Japanese government's Integrated Resort Program (IR). Japanese Prime Minister Shino Abe unveiled the guidelines in April last year. The goal is to ignite economic growth through the introduction of multiple international casino brands in Japan, granting each company three licenses for a 10-year period. Taxes on gross gaming revenue will amount to a hefty 30 percent. In spite of the eye-watering taxes, interest in Japanese licenses seems to be substantial: besides Hard Rock, other famous industry stalwarts were also present at the Hokkaido IR Showcase, including renowned brands such as MGM, Melco, Mohegan, and Caesars.
Hard Rock also provided a detailed rendition of the planned Hard Rock Resort Japan in a press announcement. The exact cost of the 215,000 square meter construction site remains undisclosed.
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Source: www.onlinecasinosdeutschland.com
