Tokyo governor backs casino plans

Tokyo’s new governor has given her backing to the opening of casino complex in Japan’s capital city.

Yuriko Koike said that the introduction of an integrated resort, which has been mooted in Japan for years, “would make the city more attractive”.

A change in law would be required for a casino to be built in Tokyo or any other part of the country, with hopes fading that any integrated resorts can now be opened before the Olympic Games is held in Japan in 2020.

Koike has supported draft legislation to legalise casinos in certain areas of the country, which was discussed in the Diet last year but has yet to make further progress.

While Prime Minister and Liberal Democrat leader Shinzo Abe supports the notion of casinos in Tokyo and Osaka, his coalition partners, the Buddhist Komeito party is opposed to gambling.

Koike told reporters that the metropolitan government “will need to take measures against casino-related problems, such as gambling addiction”.

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