Japan’s national government will pick Osaka over Nagasaki as its preferred bidder for the country’s first integrated resort, with approval most likely to be granted in January 2023. That’s according to Osaka MP Nobuyuki Baba who said a decision could be out “before the Diet session starts”.
Osaka Expected to Obtain IR Nod
In a statement to Japanese media, Baba said leaders of his party, Japan Innovation, had been in talks with national officials and the ruling party, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), on the status of Osaka’s IR proposal. Though he stopped short of mentioning names, Baba said the forthcoming decision should be positive for Osaka.
Osaka submitted its IR District Development Plan to the national government in April. The city is proposing to build a casino resort on the man-made Yumeshima Island in Osaka Bay. The city is partnering with MGM Resorts International for the JPY1.08 –trillion (US$8.1 billion) project.
Public Consultation Ongoing
Yumeshima will also play host to Expo 2025, a global fair that will take place from April to October 2025. Osaka will utilize a 50-hectare plot for the event. The IR project will stand on a separate 49-acre site on the artificial island.
Osaka’s IR proposal and Expo 2025 are both part of “phase 2” of Yumeshima. Local authorities recently opened a public consultation on the matter which will conclude on May 10, 2023.