Osaka's regional lawmaker, who heads Japan's Innovation Party, said he believed Osaka's plans to develop an integrated resort (IR) district for tourist complexes, including casinos, would be approved by the national government before the end of January.

Baban Nobuyuki, as quoted by Japanese media, said this was based on discussions by his party's leadership with the government and the main power group, the Liberal Democrats, but he declined to give a name.

"High-ranking members of Japan's Progressive Party have worked hard on the government and the LDP. The LDP has now come to think that the government will make a positive decision on Osaka before the start of the parliamentary session," Baba was quoted as saying on Thursday.

It is according to information collected by GGRAsia's Japan correspondent. Japan's next parliament is widely expected to start in January. The latest extraordinary session ended on Dec. 10, according to the council's website.

Osaka's IR plan was submitted for scrutiny by state authorities in late April, and many politicians, including Baba, have recently called on them to expedite the process.

Japan's Yushin Party is affiliated with the Osaka Isin, and formerly the Osaka Yushin Society is the leading political organization of the group.

Osaka's proposed 1.8 trillion yen ($8.1 billion at current exchange rates) casino resort (rendering photographs of artists) is joined by commercial partners, including casino operator MGM Resorts International.

In November, the mayor of Osaka, Ichiro Matsui, said the local authorities, the city and prefecture, were joining forces with the IR slope. Local authorities were asked to submit additional documents explaining how and when they would resolve issues related to their proposal, including Yumeshima in the Gulf of Osaka.

On Thursday, local authorities in Osaka began public consultations scheduled to run until May 10, 2023, regarding what they called "phase two" on the man-made island of Yumeshima.

This will include the use of "heritage" on the 50-hectare (123.6 acres) site. The site will be used for the first time for an event called Expo 2025, a world exhibition held in Yumeshima for six months starting in April 2025. Expo 2025 will take place on a 155ha site on Yumeshima Island.

Osaka IR, which will have a separate 49-hectare site on Yumeshima, will be part of an overall development project for the artificial island, according to Mayor Matsui, GGRA's Japan correspondent. Osaka IR promoters say they hope the facility can open by the end of this decade.

On Tuesday, Hirofumi Yoshimura, the governor of Osaka Prefecture and the leader of Osaka Ishin, announced that he would run for governor again. Elections are due in April next year.

BY: 릴게임

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