American casino operator, Hard Rock International Incorporated, has reportedly released additional information about the giant Japan Hard Rock Resort facility it is hoping to bring to the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido.

Tomakomai target:

According to a report from GGRAsia, the firm explained that it wants to be given the rights to build and operate its new integrated casino resort near the port city of Tomakomai featuring in excess of 215,000 sq ft of dining and retail space as well as a guitar-shaped hotel similar to that being constructed at its Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Hollywood facility in Florida.

Airport access:

The operator declared that the envisioned southern Hokkaido project is to moreover offer a Hard Rock Live-branded concert venue alongside multi-purpose ‘Broadway-style’ theaters and a monorail connecting it to Chitose International Airport. It stated that all of this would be complemented by a health and well-being center in addition to a ‘Music Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame’ designed to ‘bring praise and awareness to the musical accomplishments of Japanese, Asian and global artists.’

Reportedly read a statement from Hard Rock International Incorporated…

“The new design also features an authentic Ainu village experience, designed to help raise awareness for the local indigenous Ainu people and educate those who visit the proposed Japan Hard Rock Resort destination in the city of Tomakomai.”

Robust competition:

GGRAsia reported that Hard Rock first announced its intention to bid for one of the three integrated casino resort licenses being made available for Japan in June. However, the firm faces stiff competition from rival projects being envisioned for the Hokkaido communities of Kushiro and Rusutsu alongside more distant venues destined to be put forward by the likes of rival operators Melco Resorts and Entertainment Limited, MGM Resorts International, SJM Holdings Limited and Caesars Entertainment Corporation.

Associated alliances:

To help its planned Japan Hard Rock Resort become a reality, Hard Rock International Inc reportedly revealed that it has also signed associated partnership deals with American theater management firm Nederlander Worldwide Entertainment as well as Major League Baseball’s New York Yankees franchise. As if all of this wasn’t enough, it proclaimed that it furthermore intends to work with Japanese innovator NEC Corporation to bring the ‘latest facial recognition and security services’ to its envisioned Hokkaido venue.

Cultural ‘gateway’:

Jim Allen, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer for Hard Rock International Incorporated, reportedly pronounced that his firm’s Japan Hard Rock Resort is destined to ‘bring economic benefits to the local community’ while additionally serving as ‘a gateway to learn more about the wonderful heritage of Japan and all that it has to offer.’

Reportedly read Allen’s statement…

“We are extremely excited about the prospect of introducing our Hard Rock family to the people of Hokkaido, Japan, with this world-class entertainment resort.”