On March 24, Osaka, Japan’s City Council passed a bill approving plans to host an integrated resort (IR) in the prefecture. Osaka has partnered with a consortium led by MGM Resorts and Orix Corp. on the bid, which must be sent to the central government by April 28.
The plan was backed by the Osaka Restoration Party and Komeito, but faced opposition by members of the Liberal Democratic Party, who are concerned about the costs to Osaka for ground preparation work.
The land on Yumeshima Island reportedly needs to be stabilized and decontaminated ahead of construction, with likely additional expenses of JPY79 billion (US$638 million), reported Asia Gaming Brief.
If approved at the federal level, the IR will include 2,500 guest rooms, variety of dining offerings, retail space, spa, fitness center, banquet halls, and 400,000 square feet of conference facilities with the capacity to accommodate more than 6,000 visitors. It will also feature 330,000 square feet of exhibition space including an “Innovation Laboratory,” reported AGB, plus a Yumeshima Theatre with approximately 3,500 seats.
MGM Resorts said it expects 20 million visitors annually and would employ approximately 15,000 people.
The property is likely to open in 2029.
