On the 14th, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun, Jiji News Agency, NHK, etc. reported that the Japanese government recognized the Osaka prefecture and Osaka City’s maintenance plan with the goal of opening in 2029 for integrated resort (IR) facilities, including casinos. did.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said at the IR Promotion Headquarters meeting on attracting integrated resorts that day, “The Osaka IR will become a tourism base that contributes to the development of the Kansai region and the growth of Korea (Japan) after the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo is held, and promotes the charms of Japan to the world. It is expected to be,” he said.
He also mentioned that “IR attracts many tourists from home and abroad, and is important for Japan to promote tourism entry.”
Osaka Prefecture and Osaka City are aiming to open in the fall or winter of 2029 at the earliest, and if realized, it will be Japan’s first casino-affiliated facility.
Related facilities will be located on Yumeshima, an artificial island in Osaka Bay. In addition to the casino, there are international conference halls, exhibition halls, luxury hotels, and theaters. The initial investment is expected to be 1.8 trillion yen, with 20 million annual visitors and 520 billion yen in annual sales.
The operation of the integrated resort is handled by Osaka IR Co., Ltd., a joint venture of 20 companies, including MGM Resorts International and Orix, as well as Panasonic Holdings and Daikin Industries. Part of the revenue is paid to the state and local governments.
The Japanese government is aiming to increase the number of visitors to Japan by 2030 to 60 million, almost doubling the previous high of 31.88 million in 2019. The government regulates IR as a trump card for tourism, and Osaka’s IR plan is a touchstone in attracting long-term stays and international conferences for wealthy people, including those from the United States and Europe, Nihon Keizai said.
Regarding IR, the Japanese government has decided by law to allow up to three IRs in Korea for the time being. It is said that it is not easy to find a candidate site as influential local governments such as Yokohama have withdrawn from attracting bids in the past. The Japanese government also withheld approval of Nagasaki Prefecture’s maintenance plan, which was competing with Osaka Prefecture to attract IR, but decided to continue the review in the future.
However, there is also concern among local residents about the IR plan that accompanies the casino. Nihon Keizai reported that there are deep-rooted concerns about the deterioration of public order and the increase in gambling dependence due to the increase in tourists.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.