Tomakomai City, located on the central south coast of Japan’s Hokkaido prefecture, has reaffirmed its intention to apply for an integrated resort (IR) with a casino when the national government opens a new round of applications. Several neighbouring municipalities have expressed their support, signalling regional cooperation to bring an IR project to Hokkaido.
According to a report by Yomiuri Shimbun, based on information obtained from the Hokkaido prefectural government, Tomakomai’s position was confirmed through an IR survey distributed in August to all 179 local governments in the prefecture.
City authorities cited several reasons for pursuing the bid, including Tomakomai’s strategic port location, established transport infrastructure and growing industries such as semiconductors. The city said an IR could further promote industrial development and strengthen the local economy.
Chitose City, located inland to the north and around a 30-minute drive from Tomakomai, stated that any potential IR in Hokkaido should be built near New Chitose Airport. The airport, the largest in Hokkaido, serves as the main air hub for both Tomakomai and the Sapporo metropolitan area, making the region a practical site for a large-scale resort.
Kushiro City, situated on the central east coast of Hokkaido, has also voiced support for Tomakomai’s bid. Kushiro was previously identified as a possible IR site in 2018, but now believes that Tomakomai’s development plan is the most promising within the prefecture.
Kushiro authorities said they hope to collaborate on marketing efforts if an IR is developed in Tomakomai. The city plans to promote sightseeing trips to Kushiro, which is known for birdwatching in Japan’s largest marshland area, as well as its museums and seafood.
Shiraoi Town, located southwest of Tomakomai, is another nearby area that could benefit from tourism expansion. It is home to lakes, hot springs and a museum dedicated to the indigenous Ainu culture.
In contrast, Hakodate City, located at the southern tip of Hokkaido, has ruled out a bid at this stage. In September, Hakodate 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 are no concrete plans to pursue a project.
Earlier, Hakodate had indicated in its response to the August survey that it was interested in hosting an IR. The city is connected to Japan’s main island of Honshu by high-speed train through an undersea tunnel, giving it convenient transport links.
Hokkaido Governor Naomichi Suzuki, who decided in 2019 not to take part in Japan’s first IR application round, has now signalled renewed interest. The prefectural assembly will review a revised version of the 2019 policy titled “Basic Stance on IR of Hokkaido Prefecture” in November.
Governor Suzuki said the updated plan will address issues such as “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 stated, “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 national government is getting ready to launch a possible second round of applications for integrated resorts (IRs), which could begin as early as 2026. According to Kyodo News, authorities plan to reach out to all 47 prefectures and 20 ordinance-designated cities to assess their interest in hosting a resort.
If a sufficient number of local governments indicate their willingness to join, the Japan Tourism Agency, which is part of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism, is likely to open a fresh application window after a period of public deliberation. This technique would be the next phase in Japan’s steady and methodical approach to growing its IR strategy.
The renewed momentum follows political changes in Japan. Sanae Takaichi, who became Japan’s new prime minister in October, is known to support IR development and is expected to influence the timing of the next round of applications.
So far, Osaka is the only Japanese city to have secured approval for an IR project. The Osaka resort is being developed by MGM Resorts International in partnership with Japan’s Orix Corporation and several domestic companies. The MGM Osaka project, which broke ground in April 2025, represents a total investment of JPY1.51 trillion (approximately US$10 billion) and is expected to open in 2030.
Japan’s casino law allows for up to three IR licences across the country. With Osaka already approved, one or two more projects are expected in the coming years. Both Hokkaido and Nagasaki Prefectures have expressed strong interest in joining the next round of bidding.
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