Japan's first integrated resort could outpace rivals in Macau and Singapore, MGM's local partner says

In a new update, Orix Corporation, MGM Resorts's local partner in the construction of Japan's first integrated resort (IR), said the property will be able to take on "established IRs in Asia, particularly in Macau and Singapore."

MGM Osaka is set to break ground in April 2025 on Yumeshima Island, Osaka Bay. With a projected investment of JPY 1.6 trillion ($10 billion) shared by MGM Resorts, Orix Corporation, and local investors, the development is scheduled to open in fall 2030.

The IR will combine casino gaming, international convention centers, accommodations, entertainment venues, and exhibition facilities, directly competing with established hubs in Macau and Singapore. Yumeshima Island, also the site of the 2025 Osaka World Expo, is expected to attract millions of visitors during the event from April to October, further boosting the region’s profile.  

“This is Japan’s first IR resort and we believe it will attract many visitors and tourists to Osaka, both from the rest of Japan and from overseas,” said Toyonori Takahashi, Kansai Representative for Orix.

While the property will have to compete with the established IRs in Asia, particularly in Macau and Singapore, Takahashi believes that Japan’s other attractions, from food to culture to nature, give it "strong advantages" over these smaller cities.

The Japanese government originally envisioned three IR licenses but has approved only MGM Osaka to date, giving the project a domestic monopoly in casino gaming for the foreseeable future.  
 
The project aligns with Orix Corporation’s larger Kansai strategy, which includes managing Kansai and Osaka International Airports, local hotels, and entertainment facilities, as well as redeveloping Osaka’s Umekita district. “Projects like Yumeshima contribute both to our company and to Kansai as a whole,” added Takahashi.  

Albert Anthony, a financial analyst, noted MGM Resorts’ expanding presence in Asia and its diversified U.S. portfolio as key strengths. “MGM has been growing in Asia, and this project reinforces its long-term strategy,” he said.  
 
Osaka’s Mayor Hideyuki Yokoyama has also revealed post-Expo plans for Yumeshima, which include developing a motor racing circuit or a water-themed resort facility.