A member of a subcommittee on casinos launched under the LDP's special committee on tourism said the party should expedite discussions to lift its ban on casinos as Asian countries are competing with each other to attract more tourists via gambling.

Singapore lifted its ban on casinos last April and Thailand may follow suit.

There have been public objections, however, due to concerns about public order in communities hosting such facilities and possible unfavorable effects on young people.

The subcommittee plans to discuss what gambling houses should be like if they are to be legalized and what to do about the Penal Code banning casinos, before working out an interim report in late April, panel members said.

The Japan Times Weekly: March 4, 2006
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