Pushing Casino Act

Committee on Cabinet of House of Representatives passed a bill called Integrated Resort Coordination Promotion Act, or Casino Act, with approval of Liberal Democratic Party and Japan Restoration Party. The opposite parties protested unilateral procedure of the bill by LDP. To take every opportunity for enhancing growth strategy, Shinzo Abe administration left important talking points behind.

Article 185 of Penal Code of Japan prohibits gambling. “A person who gambles shall be punished by a fine of not more than ¥500,000 or petty fine,” says it. The provision can be regarded as a measure for social interest in maintaining public order and morality. Casino Act challenges the tradition in Japan, which has been negative on gambling, and tries to promote drawing money from foreign travelers. The bill was submitted not by executive branch but lawmakers with LDP.

Abe administration has not been so earnest on passing the bill in past sessions of the Diet. However, LDP looks like hastened this time. It was on Thursday when Committee on Cabinet started discussion over the bill. After only six-hour discussion, Chairman of the committee, who was affiliated to LDP, took votes on Friday and sent the bill to Plenary Sitting. LDP assumes the bill to be passed to House of Councillors on next Tuesday.

Chairman of LDP General Council, Hiroyuki Hosoda, insisted that integrated resort would contribute to promoting tourism, encouraging local economy and improvement of fiscal balance. From a viewpoint of inviting Osaka Expo in 2025, President of Japan Restoration Party and Governor of Osaka, Ichiro Matsui, supports Casino Act. But, the coalition partner of LDP, Komeito, is reluctant to Casino Act, not deciding attitude to the bill.

Democratic Party needed to discuss more on possibility of addiction to gambling or money laundering by criminal organization. Impact on economy is still unclear. “It is strange for LDP to coercively passes a bill related to gambling. The bill should not be submitted by lawmakers, but by Cabinet with responsibility,” told Jun Azumi, Deputy President of Democratic Party. Japan Communist Party also opposed to making gambling an economic policy.

After the death of Trans-Pacific Partnership, Abe administration has been looking for alternative policy for Abenomics. Casino Act was one of the few hopes for economic growth. There is a speculation that Casino Act is a gift to Donald Trump for his opportunity of gambling business in Japan. Economic slump causes deterioration of society and politics.