The current Japanese Diet session started on January 26 and is scheduled to last until June 24. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and members of the Liberal Democratic Party-Komeito coalition government are expected to discuss over 70 bills. Legalization of casinos in Japan will certainly be one of the hot topics during the 150-day session.
Meanwhile, it was reported that Yokohama and Osaka will probably be the first Japanese cities where luxurious integrated resorts featuring casinos are to be built.
It was previously announced that more than twenty municipalities have shared that they were interested in hosting such resorts. Apart from gambling venues, the complexes are also expected to offer to their visitors top-class hotels, conference halls, huge retail spaces, entertainment facilities, etc. All these are expected to attract a considerable number of foreign tourists and players.
It seems that both Osaka and Yokohama authorities approve of the prospect for the construction of integrated resorts on the territories of the cities. Reportedly, Yumeshima, an artificial island in Osaka Bay, is where the property is to be located.
Back in October, local government representatives as well as influential business persons established a joint committee with the aim of discussing all the details that such a major project involves.
On Monday, February 16, Ichirō Matsui, governor of the Osaka Prefecture, shared with local media that they are determined to launch a gambling venue before 2020. Mr. Matsui pointed out that the 2020 Summer Olympics will certainly attract a great number of tourists from around the world and an integrated resort that features a casino will most certainly be a good thing for Osaka and its economy.
Fumiko Hayashi, the current Mayor of Yokohama, also stated her support for the construction of property of this kind on the territory of the city she is in charge of. The integrated resort there is planned to spread over a 50-hectare site, located not far from Yamashita Park.
Both cities are currently reviewing the benefits that such complexes will bring.
Although some officials and businessmen seem enthusiastic about the legalization of casinos in Japan, others have expressed concerns that this might have quite a negative impact on the country’s residents. In other words, gambling addiction rates as well as other social problems might rise significantly.
According to prominent Asian gambling experts, a legalization bill is not likely to pass anytime soon and therefore, casinos might not open doors in Japan before 2020.
Takashi Kiso, chief executive officer of International Casino Institute and proponent of the launch of integrated resorts in Japan, stated that the country cannot have a fully operating integrated resort before the 2020 Summer Olympics, unless the government allows it to be partially launched before their beginning.
Mr. Kiso referred to the Japanese government’s intention to develop certain qualifications for the areas where integrated resorts with casinos are to be built, once the legalization bill is enacted.
