Hokkaido sees operator interest in potential IR
Two of three international operators surveyed by the prefectural government said they were interested in pursuing an integrated resort in Hokkaido.
Japan.- Two of three overseas integrated resort (IR) operators surveyed by Hokkaido said they would consider participating in a potential casino-resort project in the prefecture. That’s according to government materials released on Monday.
However, they also raised concerns over the renewal timeframe for the approval of plans, saying it could create uncertainty for investors and lenders. Under Japan’s IR legislation, an approved IR District Development Plan is valid for 10 years, with a possible five-year renewal. Operators reportedly suggested allowing projects to be developed in stages according to demand.
All three respondents identified advantages in Hokkaido as an IR destination, citing its natural environment, food, hot springs, transport links and tourism potential, the government said. However, one operator warned that Japan’s facility requirements could make the scale of investment challenging for a regional market.
Some 12 of 13 domestic IR-related companies surveyed by Hokkaido also reportedly expressed interest in participating.
Prefectures and ordinance-designated cities seeking to host an IR must partner with private-sector companies before submitting a bid to the national government. Among Hokkaido’s 179 municipalities, only Tomakomai has expressed definite interest in hosting an IR under current national requirements. Hakodate has also shown interest but has not taken a firm position, while 71 municipalities supported a project elsewhere in the prefecture and 106 said they were not interested.
The prefecture has not yet committed to joining Japan’s second IR application round, scheduled for May 6 to November 5, 2027. Hokkaido withdrew from the first round in 2019. An updated IR policy is expected to be finalised in October. Japan currently has one approved IR, MGM Osaka, a JPY1.51trn (US$9.58bn) project scheduled to open at the end of 2030.
