Opposition to Japan casinos rises again

As the Diet session was extended to pass the IR Implementation Bill, new groups have voiced their opposition to the casino industry.

Japan.- The ruling coalition of Japan hopes to get the Integrated Resorts (IR) Implementation Bill passed over the next few weeks after extending the Diet session until July 22nd. However, a group has stood up against casino legalisation in the country and is set to challenge the proposed legislation.

Chairman of the Japan Federation of Bar Associations, Yutaro Kikuchi, issued a statement saying that the legislation might threaten the underpinnings of the nation’s legal order. “Lifting the ban on casinos loses sight of why gambling is a punishable criminal offence under the law, and it significantly impairs the integrity of the entire legal order,” the document said.

The group also emphasised problem gambling, organised crime, money laundering and that, allegedly, most of the Japanese public is against the bill as well.

The government managed to get the bill through the committee and passed in the lower house over the last few days. The House of Councillors will now debate the project and will most likely approve it before July 22nd, the extended deadline after pushing through June 20th, the original Diet session limit. While the Federation of Bar Associations’ opposition is probably not going to affect the legislative process, it’s expected to play a role in future IR construction projects.