According to the Financial Times, more discussions on proposals to bring international-standard casinos to Japan will take place in the country’s parliament, the Diet, this week.
Discussions on the plans have been consistently hampered by different political groups such as the Komeito, the party that has formed a government in a coalition with the Liberal Democrats, which is opposed to the opening of the market.
A number of US-based casino operators - and some possible Japanese investors - have all expressed interest in becoming involved in the market that specialists estimate would be initially worth about US$40bn a year. They include Genting, MGM, Wynn and Las Vegas Sands.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is attempting to push a gaming bill through parliament before the Tokyo Olympics in 2020. This week, a parliamentary committee will discuss the plan again to see if a compromise can be reached. The Diet is to hold a session on Friday to discuss a number of Abe’s economic reforms, including casinos via integrated resorts.
