Akihabara News — At the beginning of October, the Osaka city government officially handed over the land on Yumeshima for the construction of Japan’s first integrated resort (IR) featuring a casino, meaning that the earliest phases of construction are underway.
However, shortly after the land was handed over, a request was made by the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), which oversees the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo, to delay the start of heavy construction activities. The concern was centered around the potential noise and disruption that such activities could cause during the Expo, which is expected to attract millions of visitors.
The Osaka IR consortium, led by MGM Resorts International and Orix Corporation, agreed to postpone the more disruptive construction tasks until after the Expo concludes in October 2025. This compromise aims to ensure that the Expo’s atmosphere remains undisturbed, although preparatory work like soil stabilization and light construction will continue.
Transportation infrastructure improvements are also underway, significantly influenced by the upcoming Expo. A new rail line extension by Osaka Metro is currently under construction, designed to connect Yumeshima directly to the city’s existing rail network. This line is anticipated to be operational by the time the Expo begins, providing direct access for both Expo visitors and future casino patrons. Additionally, plans for road access enhancements are being developed to manage the expected increase in traffic.
Another recent development was the expiration of the operator’s cancellation rights. The agreement between the local governments and the IR consortium had initially included a clause allowing the operator to withdraw from the project under certain conditions until September 2026. However, in a move signaling its commitment to the project, the consortium formally waived this right in September, ensuring that construction would proceed as planned without the threat of cancellation.
“The waiver of the cancellation right is an important move, and it is almost certain that the IR will be realized in Osaka in the fall of 2030,” commented Osaka Governor Hirofumi Yoshimura.
Regarding the construction schedule, the project is now set to follow a detailed timeline. Soil stabilization to prevent liquefaction is expected to continue into 2025. This phase is crucial for ensuring the structural integrity of the resort, especially given Japan’s seismic activity.
The heavy construction, as noted, has been rescheduled to begin in earnest post-Expo. This will involve the erection of the main structures including the hotel, convention center, entertainment facilities, and the casino itself.
The construction is anticipated to last several years, with the completion of the external structures targeted for late 2028. Following this, the focus will shift to interior fitting, system installations, and regulatory compliance checks, aiming for an opening in the fall of 2030.
Construction costs have been estimated at about US$8.5 billion, but this may be significantly altered by exchange rates, fluctuating material and labor costs, and other factors.
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