MGM Osaka Appoints Nobuki Watanabe as Chairman as IR Development Progresses

(AsiaGameHub) –   MGM Osaka Corp has updated its senior leadership as construction progresses on the JPY1.51 trillion integrated resort set to open in 2030.

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Good to Know

• Nobuki Watanabe was appointed representative director and chairman on May 1.
• Edward Bowers was reappointed as representative director and president.
• MGM Resorts confirmed that the Osaka IR is still on schedule and within budget for a 2030 launch.

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MGM Osaka Leadership Shuffle Continues Amid Ongoing Construction

MGM Osaka Corp has appointed Nobuki Watanabe, an executive from Orix Corp, as its new representative director and chairman, bringing fresh leadership to the project during the critical phase of construction for Japan’s first approved casino resort.

Watanabe, who serves as a managing executive officer at Orix Corp, assumed his new role on May 1, succeeding Toyonori Takahashi, who has transitioned to an advisory position at Orix.

Since joining Orix in 2001, Watanabe has gained experience in developing new businesses and corporate management—skills he will now apply as MGM Osaka advances its development efforts.

The company also announced the reappointment of Edward Bowers as representative director and president, following the restructuring of MGM Osaka Corp into a company with a formal board of directors.

MGM Osaka Corp is a joint venture involving MGM Resorts International, Orix Corp, and several local investors. The integrated resort project carries an estimated cost of JPY1.51 trillion (approximately US$9.66 billion).

Sankei Shimbun reported that MGM Osaka Corp now operates with a five-member board. In addition to Watanabe and Bowers, the board includes Bill Hornbuckle, CEO and president of MGM Resorts; Hidetake Takahashi, CEO and director of Orix; and Shuuji Irie, senior managing executive officer at Orix.

Construction progress remains on track. During MGM Resorts’ recent first-quarter earnings call, Hornbuckle stated that “more than 40 percent of the foundation piles have been installed or completed” at the Osaka site.

He added:

“The first concrete floor has been poured, and the first structural steel has been erected.

“MGM Osaka is still on time and on budget for its 2030 opening.”

This update underscores two key developments: a streamlined leadership structure and steady advancement in construction at the upcoming Osaka casino resort.