Nearly 50 years ago, Japan built an artificial island in Osaka Bay to serve as a container terminal and waste disposal site. Today, that same landfill area is being redeveloped into a “global tourism hub” as part of a 2017 initiative aimed at boosting industry and investment in Osaka Prefecture.
At the heart of this transformation is MGM Osaka — a massive integrated resort valued at US$3.92 billion (JPY28 billion). The project, a joint venture between MGM Resorts International and Japan’s Orix Corporation, is slated to open in 2030.
World Expo set the stage for MGM Osaka
Yumeshima recently concluded its successful run as host of the 2025 World Expo, themed “Designing Future Society for Our Lives.”
Leading up to the six-month event, organizers faced cost overruns, construction setbacks, and lukewarm public interest. However, the expo ultimately exceeded expectations, attracting over 25 million visitors and featuring exhibits from 158 countries. Pavilions highlighted groundbreaking innovations in technology, healthcare, and sustainable energy, while attendees experienced futuristic creations such as flying cars, lab-grown artificial hearts, and AI-guided robots for the visually impaired.
According to The Japan Times, the expo—which ended at 10 p.m. on Monday—could generate up to US$3.92 billion in profits. The former expo site will now serve as the foundation for a new tech and entertainment district designed to complement MGM Osaka. The development plan envisions a mix of commercial, leisure, and cultural attractions surrounding the massive integrated resort, boosting economic activity in the region.
MGM Osaka alone is projected to attract around 20 million visitors annually. The resort will feature Japan’s first casino, along with hotels, restaurants, retail outlets, MICE facilities, and entertainment venues. Orix Kansai regional representative Toyonori Takahashi noted that the project aims to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Asia’s top integrated resorts, “particularly those in Macau and Singapore.”
Public still divided on Japan casinos
Hideyuki Araki of the Resona Research Institute believes the new developments on Yumeshima will benefit all stakeholders involved. “The expo site is extensive, and strong synergy with the IR is anticipated,” he told The Japan News. “What’s important is not to end the project with large-scale construction alone, but to implement strategies that ensure sustainable, long-term economic growth.”
Investors have already proposed several additions to the island, including a Formula 1 racetrack, new luxury hotels, and a large-scale water park.
Despite the excitement, the integrated resort itself remains “controversial,” according to The Japan Times. A survey conducted in November 2024 found that nearly one-third of Japanese citizens still oppose the IR due to concerns about gambling addiction. The poll showed 30.6% in favor of the project, while 36.7% expressed neutrality.
Among the critics is Kobe University sociology professor Hiroki Ogasawara, who argues that casinos are “built on greed and desire, pursuing economic wealth for only a select few.”
On the other hand, Osaka Governor Hirofumi Yoshimura remains a strong supporter. Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony for MGM Osaka in April, he said the integrated resort “will create an extraordinary destination, stimulating new demand in both tourism and business while acting as a major driver of Osaka’s economic growth.”
