Japan Press Weekly

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2020 December 16 - 22 [POLITICS]

Gov't shifts to a higher gear to promote casinos despite COVID-19 crisis

Akahata editorial (excerpt)

The Suga government on December 18 decided on a "basic policy" for casino-centric integrated resorts (IR). Despite a big jump in COVID-19 cases in the county, it is absolutely absurd to hit the accelerator promoting IR development. What on earth is the government thinking!

The basic policy presents design plans for an IR system in Japan and sets the selection criteria for where an IR should be constructed (restricted to three locations at present).

Prime Minister Suga Yoshiohide has made clear his intent to promote casino-centric resort facilities since he campaigned for the Liberal Democratic Party presidency. After assuming the post in October, he proposed some revisions to the draft basic policy, inserting vague measures to prevent corruption and to combat infectious diseases in the original draft. The government has officially approved this revised policy as he proposed.

Along with the revised policy, the government in a Cabinet meeting decided to issue an order to postpone the deadline for nine months until July 2022 for application submissions by municipalities hoping to host an IR. The application procedure will start after the next general election which will be held sometime between April and October 2021. It is necessary to replace the government rushing headlong into casino gambling as a centerpiece of the "growth strategy" with a government opposing casinos.

Past related article:
> Suga gov't also in favor of casino promotion [October 11, 2020]