Sakaguchi has been appointed by Japan’s central government to oversee the Japan Casino Regulatory Commission in managing the country’s gambling sector. Sakaguchi took over as secretary general from Minoru Namiki on July 4th, 2023. He works for the same organization as the deputy secretary general and formerly worked for Japan’s National Police Agency. The change in leadership coincides with plans to pass Japan’s Integrated Resort (IR) bill regulating casino growth before the end of the decade. As the newly appointed head of the Japan Casino Regulatory Commission, Takuya Sakaguchi assumes a pivotal role in ensuring the effective management and regulation of Japan’s gambling sector.
The Need for Strong Leadership
The Japan Casino Regulatory Commission is moving quickly to meet the needs of the growing casino industry. As part of its attempts to reduce illegal gaming, Japan relaxed the prohibition on casinos in 2018. The commission is now in charge of ensuring a smooth transition from prohibition to legality.
In the past, Japan’s war against illegal gaming backfired, leaving its entertainment districts mired in a never-ending cycle of corruption and crime. The government also recognized that it was losing out on tax money to better-regulated and authorized gambling markets in neighboring states like Macau and offshore online gaming firms.
The commission has a significant role and must have all facilitators in place. It employs approximately 160 people who help supervise casino operators and other stakeholders. The commission estimates that this endeavor will cost JPY 370 million. The cost of investigating the operators is estimated to be JPY 220 million. The commission received JPY3.62 billion (US$25.1 million) for fiscal year 2023, representing a nearly 3% increase over last year’s allotment.
Taking Japanese Culture to the Next Level
The commission will primarily focus on establishing an integrated resort in Osaka under the new secretary general. Previously, Japan planned to build integrated resorts in four areas, including Wakayama, Nagasaki, and Yokohama. However, several obstacles have hampered the early intentions, despite Osaka and Nagasaki’s steadfastness.
Osaka recently authorized its Integrated Resort (IR) District Development Plan, although the casino is unlikely to be operational within the timeframe. With 66% of the evaluation points, the plan was approved in April 2023. The city of Osaka will collaborate with MGM Resorts International and Japan’s Orix Corp on the project. The former, a gambling firm located in the United States, predicts that the resort will cost US$ 10 billion.
The governor of Osaka stated that the agreement will be completed and delivered by September 2023, at which point the partners will begin their official interactions. The IR District Development Plan for Nagasaki was created in April 2022. However, the national government of Japan has not yet approved it. Nagasaki officials recently defended the plan, claiming that the national government will most certainly accept it, with careful consideration given to preserving the unique aspects of Japanese culture in the development process.
Prospects For The Future
Japan anticipates profiting from regulated gambling while simultaneously putting an end to the expanding illicit gambling industry. Authorities believe that the presence of casino complexes will increase tourism to Osaka and other targeted cities. Lobbyists also feel that the integrated resorts will assist to highlight Japan’s charm, transforming perceptions of the highly conservative country. Several groups have been at the forefront of the drive for casinos in Japan, including lawmakers and the worldwide gambling industry. As the world’s third-largest economy, Japan stands to benefit greatly from increased access to higher earnings from the new legitimate revenue stream. Professional analysts believe that the annual gain will be more than $20 billion. However, with the revised plans in place, the Osaka government forecasts that its project will generate over 15,000 jobs and over 1.14 trillion yen each year.
The new secretary general of the Japan Casino Regulatory Commission, together with other stakeholders, will have to keep a tight eye on the new sector. Many people in Japan have major gambling issues, and legalizing the practice may exacerbate an already dire situation. Because of the complexities surrounding this potential, Japan has long been the only large economy without casinos. Parties concerned with gambling addiction, particularly support groups, have regularly spoken out against developing integrated resorts that include casinos. In a recent letter, counter-advocacy groups reported a significant surge in persons seeking help for problem gambling. It is especially harmful to those who gain unauthorized access to online gambling sites. Implementers and lawmakers, on the other hand, have stated a desire to properly roll out the project focusing on consumer protection policies.
Final Thoughts
Takuyi Sakaguchi’s appointment comes at a time when the world expects Japan to construct integrated resorts with casinos. With new leadership and government backing, the commission is taking many safeguards to avoid unwittingly facilitating problem gambling. The authorities have already limited the number of times Japanese citizens can visit the proposed resort. Family members can still request that the authorities prohibit their relatives from entering the forthcoming gambling establishments. The effort to legalize gambling in Japan appears to be on a sound and cautious footing.