Japan's Big Casino Plan Provokes Fury in Rural Towns
- Framework requires local governments to team up with operators
- Tokyo, Osaka, Yokohama are seen as likely resort candidates
Why This Casino Plan Angers Rural Japan
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Tokyo, Osaka and Yokohama are emerging as likely candidates for casino resorts under the Japanese government’s new bidding framework, triggering criticism from smaller cities that say it undermines Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s goal of reviving rural areas.
Most global casino operators have indicated an interest in building resorts only in any of the three cities, given their relatively high population and proximity to major international airports. To be selected, operators and municipalities will have to team up and submit a concrete proposal to the government, according to guidelines published this month.