The proposed rules on opening and running a casino as a key feature of an integrated resort (IR), compiled by a government panel of experts last month, proclaim the introduction of regulations "of the world's highest standard," including restrictions on access to the facilities by residents of Japan and measures against the involvement of organized crime. These steps are aimed at addressing concerns over the possible social costs of introducing casinos in Japan — including the risk of exacerbating the problem of gambling addiction in this country — which were not sufficiently addressed when the government's legislation to legalize casinos was rammed through the Diet in December.

However, specifics of the proposed restrictions, including the cap on frequency of visits to casinos by Japan residents as well as entry fee amounts, are still up in the air. Feasibility of the proposed use of My Number cards to keep track of how many times a resident has visited casinos may be in question given that less than 10 percent of the population has obtained such cards. The government, which plans to compile legislation regulating casino operations on the basis of the report and further public hearings, should quickly flesh out the measures so that their effectiveness can be verified.

The government reportedly plans to hold the public hearings in nine cities, including Tokyo and Osaka, which are deemed candidate sites for IRs featuring casinos, to sound out the views of local residents, officials of prospective host municipalities and businesses. Their input also needs to be sufficiently reflected in drawing up the planned legislation.