PRESS CONFERENCE

“A Bad Bet: Osaka's Opposition to a Casino Resort”

Tadakazu Konishi, Former vice governor of Osaka prefecture
Tomoaki Nomura, Former Sakai-city council member (LDP)
Kaori Takeda, Director of NPO AM-net

14:30-15:30 Thursday, September 8, 2022
(The speech and Q & A will be in Japanese with English interpretation.)


Among the major agenda items on this autumn's political schedule is whether the government will grant Japan's first-ever licenses for a casino resort. Only Osaka and Nagasaki have submitted applications to build "integrated" resorts, with gambling, convention centers, entertainment complexes, and hotels. Osaka's bid, once believed to be all but certain, now faces a public backlash. A recent petition for a referendum on the casino project garnered about 200,000 signatures of support, and even local LDP members oppose the plan. But the Nippon Ishin-led Osaka prefectural government refused to hold a referendum, saying the matter was settled.

 
On September 8th, Osaka casino opponents will meet with Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism officials, the agency in charge of granting Japan's first casino licenses. Three leaders, former Osaka vice governor Tadakazu Konishi, former Sakai city council member Tomoaki Nomura, and Kaori Takeda, direct of AM Net, will explain why what seemed a sure bet for Osaka is now a losing gamble. Konishi and Nomura, who have long experience with Nippon Ishin, will also touch on the party's unique appeal in Osaka and what might happen to the casino plan and the party as a whole in the coming months. 

 


How to attend: Please register at front@fccj.or.jp with your name, the name of your media outlet, and FCCJ membership number. Due to space restrictions attendance will be limited. Doors open 15 minutes before the event. Please sign in, giving your name and contact details at the reception, and have your temperature taken before proceeding. 

How to watch online: https://www.youtube.com/c/FCCJchannel/live  
Livestreaming of the press events will be available and video of this event will be uploaded to our FCCJ YouTube channel. 

How to ask questions: https://forms.gle/fwKJThV1JVjFowjt9      
Members watching the event online can submit questions for the speakers in advance using this submission form.

TV crew: Please make a reservation at front@fccj.or.jp. Doors open for TV crews only at 30 minutes before the event. 

 


Professional Activities Committee