The development of a casino-resort in Osaka appears to be getting the approval of Japanese policymakers, which could be advantageous for MGM Resorts International's efforts to expand internationally. For MGM, the potential approval of the Osaka casino is proof that perseverance pays off. The concept of integrated resorts in Japan was approved more than four years ago by the late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Since that time, progress on the problem has been extremely slow. MGM's efforts to expand internationally are focused on Osaka. The majority of the company's land-based portfolio is in the US, but the operator owns 56% of MGM China, which runs two integrated resorts in Macau.
