Bill to Repeal<\/strong><\/h2>\nThe scandal has been bad optics for the ruling LDP, which has tried unsuccessfully to sell the economic benefits of casinos to a skeptical populace. Some two-thirds of Japanese have consistently polled against the establishment of a gaming market.<\/p>\n
Seizing their moment, opposition parties introduced a bill last month that seeks to repeal the Integrated Resorts Promotion Act (IRPA), the 2016 act that paved the way for casinos in the country. But the government controls both chambers and its chances are slim.<\/p>\n
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has said national government will press ahead with the process of licensing three integrated resorts in the country. This will see hopeful cities or prefectures team up with casino developers and local businesses before submitting their proposals. The submission period for applicants will start early next year.<\/p>\n
Hokkaido pulled out of the casino race late last year over concerns about the impact construction might have on the local environment.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The Japanese lawmaker at the center of a casino bribery scandal was granted bail Monday. But Tsukasa Akimoto will not fulfil his stated desire of resuming his parliamentary duties just yet. Despite paying his $273,000 bond, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) lawmaker remains in jail, pending the public prosecutor\u2019s appeal of the court\u2019s decision. Akimoto […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":36,"featured_media":126513,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[69069,21],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
Japanese Lawmaker Akimito Indicted in Casino Bribery Case Granted Bail<\/title>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n