The minister in charge of overseeing Japan’s casino liberalisation effort has been kept in post by the prime minister, following the announcement on Wednesday of his second cabinet lineup.
The Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism is a member of Komeito, the governing Liberal Democratic Party’s (LDP’s) coalition partner.
The ministry has been evaluating the bids submitted by Osaka and Nagasaki for the right to host an integrated resort with a casino.
The National Public Safety Commission, the body that oversees the Japan Casino Regulatory Commission, has a new chairperson in the new lineup. According to information gathered by GGRAsia’s Japan correspondent, Kouichi Tani succeeds Satoshi Ninoyu in the role.
Koichi Hagiuda, a key promoter of the casino policy during the second cabinet of former prime minister Shinzo Abe, will be included in the new executive office lineup.
The Policy Research Council of the LDP is chaired by Mr Hagiuda, the former Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry.
Up to three casino resorts were to be allowed in Japan under the casino liberalisation framework. There are only two places that have applied to host IRs, which has led to speculation that Japan might reopen a bidding process once the current applications have been decided.
The Japanese national authorities are expected to make an announcement in the autumn regarding the country’s first casino licences.
Summary:
The minister in charge of overseeing Japan’s casino liberalisation effort has been kept in post by the PM after the announcement of his second cabinet lineup. The ministry has been evaluating the bids submitted by Osaka and Nagasaki for the right to host an integrated resort with a casino.