Osakans against Yumeshima IR

A poll has revealed that the local population is against a potential integrated resort at Yumeshima, Osaka, with 57 percent in negative votes.

Japan.- Sooner or later, Japan will see integrated resorts starting to rise as the casino industry is set to land on the archipelago and awaits for the regulatory framework to get approved. However, it’s still unclear which cities will host IRs and, apparently, Osaka (a potential host) doesn’t have its population’s approval for getting its own development.

According to a recent poll by the Yomiuri Shimbun, locals are against an integrated resort by nearly a 2 to 1 margin. The results were clear: 57 percent answered they oppose the idea of getting an integrated resort while only 30 per cent said they approve it. These figures are even worse than those reported on a previous poll which saw 52 per cent opposing a casino development and 33 per cent in favour.

Nonetheless, Osaka Governor Ichiro Matsui confirmed the government remains sure of its intentions to get an integrated resort developed in the city. Matsui wants the whole business community and locals to get involved in the integrated resort in order to help international operators integrating Japanese culture to it.