2/8/2003 Japanese government looks to casinos for revenue sources
Japanese regional authorities from Tokyo and other metropolitan governments have been looking to casinos as a novel way to bring in revenues during the current economic downturn.
"Local governments are having difficulties revitalising regional economies and the realisation of casinos can be an effective measure" said the local governments in a joint statement.
"Casinos are powerful tourism resources, and there are high expectations that the new gaming industry would have positive effects on the economy and create jobs," they continued.
Spearheaded by Tokyo Governor Shintaro Ishihara, the mastermind behind the first legal casino on the capital's vast waterfront, the Odaiba. The statement was presented to Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and Yoshitada Konoike, state minister in charge of crisis prevention and special deregulation zones.
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