Blackstone, now bidding for ownership of Crown Resorts, has announced a binding agreement to buy eight hotels in Japan from Kintetsu Group Holdings, including one very close to Yumeshima in Osaka, expected to become host to its own major IR.

Kintetsu Group Holdings is reportedly close to abandoning its earlier plans to extend its rail line to Yumeshima before the 2025 World Expo. The firm is concerned that there may be little passenger demand with lingering uncertainty over the pandemic and the future of IR development in Osaka.

An anti-casino group in Osaka is planning a human chain protest at the Osaka City Hall, and they are arguing that the soft soil...

Osaka Mayor Ichiro Matsui fielded questions from the Osaka City Council on Monday regarding the extension of the Osaka Metro Chuo Line to Yumeshima, including the cost sharing arrangements with the anticipated future IR operator.

If the IR policy delays have created a threat to Yokohama’s plans that are primarily political, the deepest concerns for Osaka arguably relate to its effect on transportation infrastructure to the man-made island of Yumeshima.

The governor of Osaka Prefecture stated on Wednesday that they are considering implementing a fixed fee for foreign visitors, potentially aligning it with the commencement of the World Expo in western Japan in April 2025.

Tokyo based real estate investment fund Mori Trust has acquired the Fairfield by Marriott Osaka Namba hotel from investment firm PAG in a strategic move ahead of a projected tourism boom.

The Japanese Minister in charge of economic security, Sanae Takaichi, has called for the postponement of the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo. 

A proposal to develop an integrated resort in Nagasaki in southeast Japan was rejected by the country's administration due to financing concerns.

According to the Japan Times, preparatory works for developing the Yumeshima artificial island in Osaka Bay started less than 500 days before the expo is due to open in spring, 2025.