A coalition of eight prominent regional business organizations in Hokkaido is preparing to formally lobby Prefectural Governor Naomichi Suzuki to fast-track preparations for a world-class integrated resort (IR). Led by the Hokkaido Economic Federation, the coalition plans to submit a formal request on September 8—coinciding with the opening of the prefectural assembly's third regular session—to ensure the northern prefecture meets the central government's upcoming IR application window.

Japan’s second official IR application round is scheduled to open from May 6 to November 5, 2027. The upcoming submission represents the business sector’s first unified formal push to the prefectural government since late 2019, when Governor Suzuki abruptly withdrew Hokkaido from Japan’s initial selection round, citing environmental considerations and tight preparation timelines.

Prefectural Hesitation vs. Commercial Appetite

Local commerce leaders fear the administration is moving too slowly, risking missing out on one of Japan’s remaining casino licenses. This administrative caution is widely attributed to political sensitivities surrounding Hokkaido’s gubernatorial election set for spring 2027.

Despite the political delay, investor appetite remains strong:

• Market Testing Response: An official survey conducted by the Hokkaido Prefectural Government revealed active commercial interest from 3 overseas casino operators and 12 domestic enterprises.

• Preferred Location: Tomakomai, a strategically located industrial port city on Hokkaido’s south-central coast, remains the primary candidate site for the proposed development.

Resurging National Competition and the Osaka Benchmark

The renewed push in Hokkaido comes as the broader Japanese IR landscape gains fresh momentum:

• Wakayama Re-evaluates Options: Following the rejection of its original IR proposal in 2022, Wakayama Governor Izumi Miyazaki recently indicated that the prefecture is prepared to support a new IR bid if Kasumigaseki Capital—which acquired 100% of Wakayama Marina City Co. Ltd.—chooses to spearhead a private-sector proposal.

• The Osaka Paradigm: Japan’s sole approved IR project, the JPY 1.51 trillion ($9.7 billion) MGM Osaka development on Yumeshima Island, is currently under construction and targeting a late 2030 opening. To support the project, Japan's transport ministry is advancing infrastructure plans for a combined ferry and cruise ship terminal on Yumeshima's northern waterfront, complementing a 42-hectare post-Expo 2025 entertainment redevelopment district.

With national legislation permitting up to three integrated resorts and only Osaka officially approved, Hokkaido’s business leaders are pressing the local government to secure one of the two remaining licenses before the 2027 window closes.

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