Potential Aichi integrated resort bid advances as expressions of interest received
Aichi Prefecture has received responses to its request-for-proposal process for a potential IR in Tokoname City.
Key takeaways:
- Aichi Prefecture has received participation paperwork through a request-for-proposal process for a potential bid to create a casino resort on Chubu Centrair Airport island, Tokoname. The prefecture has not disclosed the number or names of companies that applied.
- Detailed proposals are due by March 23, 2027, with a winning operator expected to be selected in spring 2027. Aichi would then have roughly seven months to complete approvals and submit its bid for national certification.
Japan.- Aichi Prefecture has reportedly received expressions of interest from private operators for plans to bid for a casino integrated resort in Japan. The prefecture had set a September 30 deadline for participation documents to be submitted via a request-for-proposal (RFP) process. The identities or number of applicants has not been made public, with authorities arguing that confidentiality was necessary to maintain a fair competitive process.
Aichi’s proposed site is on the Chubu Centrair International Airport Island in Tokoname City near near Nagoya. Aichi launched the RFP process on April 1 to assess the feasibility of an integrated resort (IR) development and identify a private-sector partner to build and operate the project.
Competitive dialogue between the prefecture and interested parties is expected to continue over the coming months. Applicants face a further qualification stage before they can proceed. Tender rules require each participant to submit eligibility documents within 20 days of filing its participation statement and pay a non-refundable examination fee of ¥10m. Only applicants that complete this process will gain access to confidential project information.
Officials are aiming to identify a preferred partner ahead of the next national application window for Japanese jurisdictions seeking permission to host an integrated resort. That application period is scheduled to run from May 6 to November 5 2027.
Applicants in Aichi are expected to deliver detailed proposals are due by March 23, 2027, with a winning operator to be selected in spring 2027. The selection process will involve a private evaluation by a committee made up of seven academics and industry professionals.
Once an operator has been chosen, Aichi and its development partner will jointly prepare an IR district development plan for submission to the national government. The proposal would require approval from Tokoname City, the prefectural public safety commission and the prefectural assembly before it could proceed.
Spanning around 50 hectares, Aichi’s proposed IR site would incorporate the existing Aichi Sky Expo exhibition facility into a larger resort complex featuring a casino, hotels, conference and exhibition facilities, and a range of entertainment attractions. The project forms part of Aichi’s wider ambition to establish itself as an international tourism destination centred on the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) sector. Prefectural authorities believe the resort could boost both tourism and economic activity across the region.
Under the terms of the tender, the operating concession would expire 35 years after national certification of the district development plan, although extensions could be granted with prefectural approval. The selected operator would generally be responsible for project costs, including land-use expenses.
Japan’s casino liberalisation framework permits up to three integrated resorts nationwide. Only one scheme has secured approval from the national government during the first round of applications: MGM Osaka, a JPY1.51tn development scheduled to open in 2030. Aichi had considered joining that first round of IR applications but abandoned the plans in 2022 due to Covid-19 pandemic-related disruption.
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