A survey made by one of the largest newspapers in Japan showed that 47 percent of Osaka’s residents were against the integrated resort (IR) plan, and 37 percent were in favor.
The survey was conducted on April 1st and 2nd before Osaka’s upcoming double elections. Both the Osaka mayoral election and Osaka prefectural gubernatorial election will be held on April 9.
According to the survey results, 50 percent of men supported the plan, while 55 percent of women were opposed. Among respondents aged 18 to 29, 51 percent supported the casino plan, while 60 percent of those aged 70 or older were against it.
Among all prefect residents, 43 percent were opposed to the IR plan, slightly more than the 37 percent who supported the idea, the survey found.
The Osaka City Council passed a bill approving IR plans in March 2022, with the city aiming to lease 49 hectares of land in Yumeshima to the planned operator for a 35-year lease for an annual rental fee of JPY2.5 billion ($18.4 million).
Osaka prefecture submitted its IR development plan, in partnership with MGM Resorts and ORIX, to the central government in April last year. The plan calls for the IR to open in the autumn or winter of 2029.
The resort, if given a license, will include hotels and amenities including MGM Osaka, MGM Villas and MUSIIB Hotel with a total of 2,500 guest rooms. It will also include a variety of dining and food & beverage offerings, retail space, spa, a fitness center and banquet halls.
The property will also be equipped with meeting and convention facilities, including 400,000 square feet of conference facilities with the capacity to accommodate more than 6,000 visitors, as well as 330,000 square feet of exhibition space including an “Innovation Laboratory”.
