Osaka attracts major interest around IR project

The potential IR development in Yumeshima island has both casino operators and construction companies interested in the prefecture.

Japan.- The Osakan government continues to push for an integrated resort (IR) to be developed and is looking to get the best out of the business opportunity the gambling expansion has created. Meanwhile, international casino operators continue to lobby in the prefecture and construction companies are moving forward to get ready to push for a deal when the licensing process begins.

While Lawrence Ho’s Melco Resorts and Entertainment Ltd donated money for natural disaster preparation and contributed to a local festival, MGM Resorts International also brought entertainment to Osaka in order to show the government its interest in the area. “Tokyo has not raised its hand, Yokohama has not raised its hand – Osaka has raised its hand,” highlighted MGM’s executive vice president of global development, Ed Bowers.

However, casino operators are not the only ones making moves to take part in the IR development in Osaka. The Obayashi Corporation, a major construction company, established a nine-member project team for the Yumeshima island project, while peer Kajima Corporation did likewise with an eleven-member team.

A large-scale IR is expected to be built in Yumeshima by 2024, in order to host the 2025 World Expo. That’s why construction companies are set to play a major role in the IR development, which is something that has of several construction corporations signed on to become “Official Partners,” like Obayashi as well like Shimizu, Taisei, and Takenaka, or other smaller firms as: Asunaro Aoki Construction, Haseko Corporation, Kumagai Gumi, Sumitomo Mitsui Construction, Mori-Gumi, Muramoto Corporation, JDC Corporation, Okumura Corporation, and Takamatsu Corporation.