Japan’s Hokkaido prefectural assembly is set to receive a draft document on Wednesday (26 November) outlining the prefecture’s likely position on hosting an integrated resort with a casino. The move signals that Hokkaido is once again considering taking part in a national process that may reopen as early as next year.
According to multiple Japanese media reports, the draft paper summarises the prefecture’s recent work on the subject but does not identify a specific candidate site. It is expected to outline the purpose of having an IR, the functions and size of a possible facility, the identification of a priority location and the measures to address potential social harm linked to gambling. The document will serve as a basis for Hokkaido to decide whether it should take part in any new application round.
In August, Hokkaido sent a survey to all 179 municipalities in the prefecture to gather their views. Earlier in October, Kyodo News reported that a new national application window could begin as early as 2026. It also said that Hokkaido and Nagasaki might be among the prefectures considering bids. Hokkaido withdrew from the first round of bidding in 2019, while Nagasaki submitted a proposal in 2022 but was not approved in 2023 due to funding concerns.
Tomakomai City has restated its intention to bid for an IR if the national government opens a new round. Its position was confirmed in the August survey, according to a report by Yomiuri Shimbun that cited information from the Hokkaido prefectural government.
Tomakomai officials pointed to several advantages, including the city’s port facilities, strong transport links and the growth of industries such as semiconductors. The city believes an IR could support industrial expansion and strengthen the regional economy.
Neighbouring Chitose City also shared its view in the survey. It said any IR in Hokkaido should be built near New Chitose Airport, the region’s largest airport and the main gateway for both Tomakomai and the Sapporo metropolitan area. The two cities are about a 30-minute drive apart.
Kushiro City, located on Hokkaido’s central east coast, stated that it supports Tomakomai’s renewed bid. Kushiro was once viewed as a possible IR site in 2018, but it now sees Tomakomai’s plan as the most suitable option in the prefecture. Kushiro officials said the city hopes to collaborate on joint marketing if the project moves ahead. They plan to promote visits to their local attractions, including birdwatching areas in Japan’s largest marshland, as well as museums and seafood-related tourism.
Shiraoi Town, situated southwest of Tomakomai, could also benefit from increased tourism if Tomakomai is selected. Shiraoi is known for lakes, hot springs and a museum dedicated to the Ainu indigenous culture.
Hakodate City, at the southern tip of Hokkaido, has ruled out joining a bid for now. In September, Mayor Jun Oizumi said the city is “in no position” to move forward with an IR proposal. He said it was “natural” for a tourism-focused city like Hakodate to show interest but added that there were no concrete plans at this stage. Earlier, Hakodate had replied to the prefectural survey saying it was interested in the possibility of hosting an IR. The city is well connected to Honshu by high-speed train through an undersea tunnel.
Hokkaido updates its prefectural policy
Hokkaido Governor Naomichi Suzuki has shown renewed interest in the subject after choosing not to participate in the 2019 application round. The prefectural assembly is now preparing to review a revised version of its 2019 policy titled Basic Stance on IR of Hokkaido Prefecture.
Governor Suzuki said the updated policy will cover “online casino and gambling addiction issues, the economic effect of an IR, functions in an IR facility, size of an IR, sustainable business operation, and advantages/disadvantages” of hosting a casino complex.
He added, “At the same time, the prefecture will go ahead with establishing a Hokkaido IR concept and making requests to the [national] government. The prefecture has put the IR policy in the Hokkaido Comprehensive Plan. Therefore, the prefecture is going to work on the IR policy accordingly.”
Japan’s government is preparing to contact all 47 prefectures and 20 ordinance-designated cities to check their willingness to join the next phase of IR development. If a sufficient number show interest, the Japan Tourism Agency, under the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, is expected to reopen the application process after a period of public consultation.
The policy direction is influenced by political change at the national level. Sanae Takaichi, who became Japan’s new prime minister in October, is known to support IR development.
Osaka is currently the only approved IR site in Japan. The MGM Osaka project is being developed by MGM Resorts International and Japan’s Orix Corporation, together with several domestic companies. The resort represents an investment of JPY 1.51 trillion and is expected to open at the end of 2030. Japan’s casino law allows for up to three IR licences nationwide, leaving room for one or two more projects in the coming years.
Both Hokkaido and Nagasaki have shown strong interest in joining the next round, setting the stage for a competitive process once the government reopens applications.
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