Construction of Japan's First Integrated Resort in Osaka Advances

Major Progress on Yumeshima Island

Construction of Japan's inaugural integrated resort (IR), the MGM Osaka Integrated Resort, is making significant headway on Yumeshima, an artificial island situated in Osaka Bay's Konohana Ward. This ambitious project, a joint venture between U.S.-based MGM Resorts International and Japan's Orix Corporation, is set to become a landmark destination, with its opening anticipated around summer or autumn 2030.

The national government of Japan has confirmed the 'vigorous' progress of the development, with both the project developer and Osaka authorities diligently meeting regulatory requirements. Preparatory work commenced in late 2023, and full-scale construction of the main resort structure is scheduled to begin in April 2025.

Core Facilities and Extensive Offerings

The centerpiece of the Osaka Integrated Resort will be a 27-story tower, standing 126 meters high, drawing architectural inspiration from the Bellagio Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. This core facility is planned to house two hotels with approximately 1,840 rooms, alongside the resort's casino. The total investment for the project is estimated to be around JPY 1.27 trillion (approximately US$8.61 billion to US$8.8 billion).

The resort's extensive amenities will include:

• A casino spanning 23,293 square meters, featuring an estimated 470 table games and 6,400 electronic gaming machines.
• A total of 2,500 hotel rooms across three distinct brands: MGM Osaka, MGM Villas, and the MUSUBI Hotel. The MUSUBI Hotel will be located in a separate 13-story building with 660 rooms.
• State-of-the-art Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) facilities, offering over 6,000 capacity, 20,000 square meters (or 730,000 square feet) of exhibition space, and 400,000 square feet of conference facilities. This MICE complex will be four stories high and 27 meters tall.
• Various entertainment venues, shopping malls, diverse dining options, cultural attractions, a 3,500-seat theater, and a spa and fitness center.

Economic Impact and Strategic Importance

The Osaka Integrated Resort is poised to be a significant economic driver for the region. It is projected to create approximately 15,000 direct jobs on-site and support around 93,000 jobs annually across the wider Kansai region. The annual regional economic impact is forecast to be around JPY 1.14 trillion.

The project is a collaboration between MGM Resorts International and Orix Corporation, each holding a 40% stake in the operating company, MGM Osaka Corp. The remaining 20% is held by other Japanese companies, predominantly from the Kansai region. The resort's location on Yumeshima is strategically important, as it is adjacent to the site that hosted the Expo 2025 Osaka.