Nearly ten years after Japan approved legislation allowing for three integrated casino resorts, the government is set to reopen applications in 2027 for the two remaining IR licences. Last December, the Japan Tourism Agency announced a six-month bidding period scheduled from May through November 2027.
Japan’s Diet originally passed the enabling legislation in 2018, authorising up to three IR developments nationwide. Former prime minister Shinzo Abe championed the policy as a strategy to boost tourism and attract foreign investment. Global gaming operators initially showed strong interest, but momentum slowed when the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted the industry.
In 2023, regulators approved just one proposal, submitted by MGM Resorts International in partnership with Tokyo-based Orix Corp. The joint venture is currently developing a US$10 billion integrated resort in Osaka Prefecture, with an opening targeted for 2030.
Local media reports indicate that Aichi Governor Hideaki Omura is preparing to declare his intention to compete for an IR licence. Now serving his fourth term, Omura had supported a bid during the first application phase but withdrew as the pandemic unfolded. Aichi Prefecture has again identified a potential site near Chubu Centrair International Airport, a location seen as advantageous for attracting international visitors.
Hokkaido, Nagasaki also expected to bid
Hokkaido Prefecture has likewise reaffirmed its interest in securing an integrated resort licence, alongside its anticipated partner, Hard Rock International. During the initial bidding phase, Governor Naomichi Suzuki withheld support for a proposal, pointing to environmental considerations, but has since shifted his position.
“Conditions are evolving,” Suzuki remarked last August. “We regard an IR as a potential catalyst for Hokkaido’s growth, capable of attracting private investment and increasing tourism-related expenditure.”
Nagasaki Prefecture is also widely expected to re-enter the competition.
A 2024 study by Savills Research described Japan’s casino sector as “a vast ocean of opportunity,” highlighting the country’s strong potential to foster “a successful and sustainable tourism industry.”
“Supported by its renowned customer service standards, social stability, proximity to rapidly expanding neighbouring economies, and world-class infrastructure, Japan is increasingly positioning itself as a leading destination for high-value travellers,” the report stated.
Observers note that Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s backing of IR development could prove advantageous for the sector. Following her election last October, she reportedly instructed Tourism Minister Yasushi Kaneko to prioritise policies that would “advance IRs and promote attractive, stay-oriented tourism” across Japan.
According to The Japan Times, Takaichi has also echoed a phrase closely associated with her mentor, Shinzo Abe, who famously pledged to return Japan “to its rightful place at the heart of the world.”
