With the Japanese Casino Commission just days away from holding their first session to issue new licenses, one city has opted to no longer seek to receive one of these licenses. According to Chiba Mayor Toshito Kumagai, the city has decided that would no longer apply to host a resort-casino.

The mayor recently issued a statement regarding opening an integrated resort (IR) in the city. He explained that there is not enough time to prepare a proper IR bid for the city, especially in light of a recent typhoon, which the city has not recuperated from.

In his statement, Mayor Kumagai explained, “Campaigning to host an IR would take a lot of energy at a time when we need to place our top priority on post-disaster reconstruction and restoration.”

He did make it clear that an ongoing investigation into bribery involving several lawmakers had nothing to do with the decision. This investigation includes a former state minister who was in charge of the Japanese government’s resort-casino policy.