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Japan has officially named Toshiyuki Shimada as the new Secretary General of the Japan Casino Regulatory Commission (JCRC), starting from July 1. This change in leadership comes at a very important time for Japan’s gambling industry, as the country works harder to manage and control both land-based casinos and online gambling activities.
Shimada’s Experience and Role
Toshiyuki Shimada is not new to the JCRC. He previously worked as the Deputy Secretary General and has now been promoted to lead the commission. Before joining the JCRC, Shimada worked at Japan’s Ministry of Finance, gaining important experience in financial oversight. His background is expected to help him handle the growing responsibilities in Japan’s casino sector.
The JCRC was created in January 2020 to regulate Japan’s casino and integrated resort (IR) projects. It also oversees online gambling rules. This year, the Japanese government has set aside around JPY 3.71 billion (about $25.6 million) for the commission, showing strong support for stronger regulations.
New Team Members and Reshuffling
Shimada’s promotion is part of a bigger change inside the JCRC. Takafumi Sato, a former prosecutor, is now the commission’s chair. Another new member, Junichi Kakimizu, who previously led the National Tax College, has also joined the team. These changes aim to strengthen the commission and ensure better decision-making.
Japan’s Casino Industry Grows
Japan’s casino industry has seen a lot of growth and interest recently. A big project, the MGM Osaka integrated resort, was approved and is expected to open by 2030 on Yumeshima Island. This is a joint project between MGM Resorts International and Japan’s Orix Corporation. It is Japan’s first approved integrated resort and marks a major step forward for the country’s casino plans.
However, Japan’s law only allows for three IR licenses. Because of this limit, many companies are competing hard to get one, and there is ongoing debate about how sustainable this market will be in the future.
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