Osaka dreams to have an IR before Expo 2025

The concern is that if the full completion of an IR is delayed, the construction work will negatively impact the expo.

Japan.- Osaka is one of the cities that lead the IR race in Japan. It already confirmed its partner for their request for proposal (RFP) process (MGM Resorts) and dreams to have the IR before Expo 2025.

The director of the Kansai Association of Corporate Executives, Hiroyuki Ikeda, held a press conference last Tuesday and said that he believe that an integrated resort (IR) full opening timed before the opening of the 2025 Osaka/Kansai Expo.

‘It would be most beneficial for the city aiming for an IR bid. Infrastructure development could be done if all of Japan was motivated,” Ikeda said according to Sankei Shimbun.

The idea of the city and prefecture were initially planning to open the IR facility before the expo but delays in legislation complicated there objective. The concern is that if the full completion of an IR is delayed, the construction work will negatively impact the expo.

The city has decided to move forward with their plans by including MGM Resorts within the RFP process, making them one of their first official partners. Japanese financial services group Orix Corporation will also be partnering with the city in the process.