Legislation
Japan – Casinos fail to make Diet session again
By Phil - 21 August 2015
There will no casino discussions in the current Diet sessions in Japanese parliament meaning the chances of Integrated Resorts being launched in time for Tokyo’s 2020 Summer Olympics are fading.
The ruling Liberal Democratic Party has said that parliament is focussing on the Trans-Pacific Pact free trade debate and problems surrounding the Olympic stadium. The current session closes on September 27.
A source from the Liberal Democratic Party said: “The casino bill will be handled at a planned extraordinary Diet session. For the current session, we have the security bills.”
Some analysts believe that with time running out for casinos to be put in place in time for the 2020 Olympic Games, and despite predictions they could generate $40bn a year, they could now be sidestepped altogether.
The Buddhist-backed Komeito party vociferously opposed casinos, claiming problem gambling and organised crime would bring too many issues.
