"It may be a bit difficult for the government to give approval in the fall or winter of 2022," a member of Japan's Progressive Party suggested in Japan's parliament over Osaka's bid for casinos and integrated resorts (IRs).
"Please give us your approval by March 2023 at the latest," Taku Ikeshita added during a parliamentary Q&A session with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Tuesday.
"If government approval is delayed, the schedule of Osaka IR could be delayed by one to three years," said Ikesita, a member of the National Assembly representing Osaka's 10th district.
"Show us when the approval will be given, and how the prime minister perceives the importance of IR," the MP added. It is based on information collected by GGRAsia's Japan correspondent.
The idea that the Osaka resort (a rendering photo of an artist) will open at the end of this decade has previously been criticized by supporters.
MGM Resorts International, parent company of Osaka's proposed 1.08 trillion yen ($7.2 billion at current exchange rates) operating partner MGM Resorts Japan LLC, has previously said it expects the Japanese government to make a decision by the fall regarding Osaka's bid.
Speaking at parliament on Tuesday, Kishida did not elaborate on the timetable for decision-making, but noted that the government was "progressing the IR process appropriately."
The Prime Minister also said, "IR is a very important policy to make Japan a tourism-focused country."
Nagasaki Prefecture also applied to the government for a casino complex in late April.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the 'Expert Panel' are evaluating bids for Osaka and Nagasaki.
According to information gathered by GGRAsia's Japan correspondent, the review committee consists of seven academic professors each covering a different field of expertise and scholars from different universities. In addition, the body has a doctor who is known to have expertise in gambling addiction. The committee was established in July 2021.
Earlier this month, Land, Infrastructure and Transport Minister Tetsuo Saito declined to answer when the committee would announce its decision on the proposal.
Even if the applicants' so-called IR district development plan is approved, there are still many processes to be completed, aside from the physical construction of the resort scheduled for many years.
Japan's Casino Regulatory Commission will have to conduct inspections of casino companies and others to confirm their suitability to obtain casino permits.
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