Content Writer: Janice Chew • Saturday, 26/01/2026 - 15:42:15 - PM
Japan’s ruling coalition has again confirmed that it plans not to tax casino winnings earned by non-residents at the country’s upcoming integrated resorts (IRs), reinforcing a stance aimed at boosting tourism and making Japan competitive with other major gaming hubs. This policy goal was outlined on December 19, 2025 by the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its junior partner, the Japan Innovation Party, in their proposed tax reform framework for fiscal 2026 — ahead of the first casino opener in Osaka scheduled for autumn 2030.
The decision reflects continuity with earlier tax policy discussions from December 2020, when the former LDP-Komeito coalition first proposed exempting foreign visitors from taxes on casino winnings to align with international norms and attract overseas gamblers. By maintaining this exemption, lawmakers aim to enhance the appeal of Japan’s IRs to international tourists, a key component of the government’s broader tourism and economic strategy.
Supporters argue that exempting non-resident winnings is crucial for competitive positioning against established Asian gaming destinations such as Macau and Singapore. The exemption is also intended to reassure global operators planning major investments in Japan’s gaming sector, including employment and infrastructure development around integrated resorts.
At the same time, Japan’s government is actively preparing the regulatory and application framework for IR expansion: a draft cabinet order released on December 17, 2025, sets May 6, 2027 as a likely start date for new bids from local communities to host integrated resorts, indicating progress toward broader casino deployment across the country.
