Japanese tourism boosted by the construction of casino resorts
Tokyo, Osaka, and Yokohama are emerging as likely candidates for casino resorts under the Japanese government’s new bidding framework, triggering criticism from smaller cities that say it undermines Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s goal of reviving rural areas.
Most global casino operators have indicated an interest in building resorts only in any of the three cities, given their relatively high population and proximity to major international airports.
To be selected, operators and municipalities will have to team up and submit a concrete proposal to the government, according to guidelines published this month.
Officials from Nagasaki to Hokkaido have raised their hands to host casino resorts in their cities. Some are now also criticizing the process, saying it will lead to big operators only wanting to partner with large cities.
Members of the government panel debating the issue have said licenses should be awarded to two to three municipalities to build out the first casino resorts in Japan.
