MGM's Osaka IR to Begin Breaking Ground Within Days
Intensive work on MGM Osaka, Japan's first integrated resort (IR) featuring a casino, is set to begin soon following the formal transfer of land control by Osaka's city government to the development entity, Osaka IR KK. This development marks a significant milestone for the project, which has been in the planning stages for several years.
The MGM Resorts International logo on its building. (Source: MGM Resorts International)
LISTEN TO THIS ARTICLE:The handover of the land was finalized on Tuesday, according to media outlet GGRAsia. The government officially transferred 113.7 acres of land on Yumeshima Island, a reclaimed zone in Osaka Bay, to the developers.
Related: MGM Osaka IR Confirms Commitment to Official 2030 LaunchThe resort is a joint venture between MGM Resorts International, Japan's Orix Corporation, and a group of minority local investors. According to the IR District Development Plan, the entire development spans 121 acres, with another seven acres reserved for Expo 2025 Osaka, an international event set to take place adjacent to the IR site.
The total cost of the IR project is estimated at JPY1.27 trillion (approximately US$8.65 billion), making it one of the largest developments of its kind in Japan. The project is expected to become a major tourism and entertainment hub, featuring a casino, hotels, convention centers, and other attractions.
The timing of the land transfer coincides with Osaka IR KK's decision on September 6 to waive its right to terminate the implementation compact for the project. This decision effectively solidifies the developers' commitment to moving forward with the construction. The project's scope and scale have drawn attention not only for its economic potential but also due to the logistical challenges posed by its proximity to Expo 2025 Osaka, an event that is set to run for 184 days, from April 13 to October 13, 2025.
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Overcoming Public Opposition
Concerns had been raised by Expo organizers regarding the potential impact of the IR's construction on the Expo, particularly in terms of noise levels and air quality for visitors. In response, Osaka authorities have allocated 3 hectares of the total IR land to Expo 2025 for the storage of construction materials.
This portion of land will be used throughout the construction and event period to mitigate potential disruptions. The strategic use of this space is aimed at ensuring that the Expo proceeds smoothly without interference from ongoing construction at the adjacent MGM Osaka site.
In an effort to further address these concerns, Osaka's governor, Yoshimura Hirofumi, announced in early September that the piling work for MGM Osaka would be delayed by two months. The postponement aims to push the peak period of noise disruption to after the conclusion of the Expo.
The construction timeline for MGM Osaka has been carefully outlined in the updated IR District Development Plan, which was released in April this year. Preparatory work for the IR commenced in the summer of 2023, setting the stage for the start of large-scale development in the near future.
Main construction efforts for the IR are slated to begin around April 2025, with the bulk of the construction expected to be completed by the spring of 2030. The resort is projected to open its doors later in 2030, ushering in a new era for tourism and entertainment in Osaka and Japan as a whole.
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