Only a day after Las Vegas Sands Corporation revealed that it was abandoning a plan to bring an integrated casino resort to Osaka and the boss for rival American operator MGM Resorts International has reportedly reiterated his firm’s commitment to the giant Japanese city.

According to a report from GGRAsia, Jim Murren (pictured) serves as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer for MGM Resorts International and used an official Thursday press release to declare that his Las Vegas-headquartered firm ‘remains deeply committed to pursuing an integrated resort in Osaka.’

Rival reassessment:

Murren’s statement immediately followed a revelation from Las Vegas Sands Corporation that it was to forego attempts at securing one of a trio of coming Japanese casino licenses for a development in Osaka and is to instead concentrate its efforts on the city of Yokohama, which sits only 17 miles south of central Tokyo and within a region of approximately 14 million people.

Murren’s statement read…

“We announced our Osaka First strategy and have not wavered from that plan. We have always had confidence in our position as what we will bring to Osaka is something only MGM Resorts International can deliver.”

Potential partnerships:

GGRAsia reported that MGM Resorts International is currently seeking additional local allies for its planned $10 billion Osaka integrated casino resort and confirmed in May that it would be submitting an official proposal in hopes of winning the right to develop and run the planned facility in partnership with Japanese financial services group Orix Corporation.

Reportedly read Murren’s statement…

“We are also excited about our partnership with Orix [Corporation, which is] a highly respected Japanese company with a strong presence in Osaka, as we jointly pursue this venture. Together, we are working to submit our response to the request for concept and look forward to the next steps in the process.”

Grand plans:

As to what MGM Resorts International would do if it was to win the right to bring an integrated casino resort to Osaka, Murren reportedly proclaimed that his firm intends to construct a ‘truly unique destination’ that is to be designed to ‘generate significant economic activity for the region.’

In another statement from Murren…

“We will bring world-class entertainment, exciting cultural events, convention expertise and premium dining and retail experiences that will have broad appeal both nationally and internationally.”