Mohegan — Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment, Mohegan Sun’s corporate parent, has announced it is partnering with a Japanese company in bidding for a license to develop an integrated resort in Japan.

MGE’s partner, Oshidori International Development Godogaisha, was established to develop the resort, which would be built in Sasebo, a city in Nagasaki Prefecture on Kyushu, the most southerly of Japan’s four largest islands.

The bid selection process is expected to take place throughout the summer and fall of 2021.

“We are honored to work with Oshidori International and leverage their team's unparalleled experience on this IR license bid in one of the fastest growing markets in the world," Mario Kontomerkos, MGE's president and chief executive officer, said in a statement. “Japan offers important development opportunities that will benefit the Kyushu economy. Our growth strategy took into consideration the significant cross marketing opportunity between Project Inspire in Korea and Kyushu, Japan. As operators of 10 properties globally, including one of the largest integrated resorts in the western hemisphere (Mohegan Sun), we are eager to bring our expertise to this venture."

Project Inspire, an integrated resort — such developments combine gaming and nongaming elements — is under construction in Seoul, South Korea.

MGE and Oshidori International also propose to create “a dynamic community for Nagasaki to become a premium travel destination and a premier residential choice,” according to a news release.

Oshidori International’s president and CEO, Alejandro "Alex" Yemenidjian, is a former president of MGM Resorts and a former CEO of MGM Studios. The company’s corporate parent is Oshidori International Holdings, which is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

MGE had at one time considered pursuing a license to develop an integrated resort on Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost island.

b.hallenbeck@theday.com