The Japanese Government and ruling coalition are considering the possible extension of the ongoing Diet session to the end of June or the beginning of July in order to make sure the casino gaming expansion bill is to be passed, along with the piece of legislation focused on labor reform.
The local lawmakers also decided to delay the expected Lower House vote on the labor reform bill until Thursday. The other piece of legislation that is currently being considered is the Integrated Resorts Implementation Bill, which is aimed at unfolding a comprehensive legislative and regulatory framework for the recently opened Japanese casino market.
The House of Representatives has already started discussions on the Integrated Resorts Implementation Bill, which is expected to pass the Diet before the end of the ongoing parliamentary session. The latter is set to come to an end on June 20th, but as it was revealed today, Japanese lawmakers could extend the session with a week or two to make sure they have taken into consideration and passed all important pieces of legislation.
Two Major Bills Wait for Approval
The 150-day parliamentary session saw two major bills unveiled. The first one of them is the so-called labor reform bill, which is set to address the chronic overwork problem of Japan.
As far as the casino gambling is concerned, the piece of legislation under which casinos will be made legal in the country is also set to be passed during the ongoing Diet session. As explained by the Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the proposed legislation is among the most important agenda items in the current parliamentary session, as the measure could end up bringing more overseas visitors in Japan. Local lawmakers have hoped that the addition of casino gambling in the country would boost regional economies, which would bring more gambling revenue to Japan.
For some time now, the casino expansion of the Japanese gambling market has been associated with deterioration of existing gambling addiction and possible gambling-related harm. According to opponents of the Integrated Resorts Implementation Bill, the expansion of the market’s status quo would end up with an increase not only in gambling participation rates but also in the number of problem gamblers.
After a series of delays, the Japanese lawmakers are now considering a possible extension of the Diet session closure’s deadline, as it was revealed by a senior lawmaker of the Liberal Democratic Party. According to them, the Parliament could be short of deliberation time for the important bills, so such an extension should be considered.
The discussions over the casino bill have already started at a plenary meeting of the House of Representatives last Tuesday. The proposed piece of legislation is now accompanied by another measure aimed at problem gambling. The so-called anti-gambling addiction bill was submitted to the Lower House by the Liberal Democratic Party and its coalition partner Komeito, along with the nominal opposition party in the country – Nippon Ishin no Kai. It has already been greenlighted at the lower parliamentary chamber, so is now to proceed to Japan’s House of Councillors for further consideration and vote.
