Japan’s Hokkaido prefecture continued at a Tuesday meeting steps toward deciding whether to adopt a formal policy on trying to have an integrated resort (IR) with casino.
A final draft of a paper called ‘The basic stance on IR of Hokkaido prefecture’ is due to be presented to the prefectural assembly in September, with Hokkaido’s basic position on the matter, due to be finalised in October, according to GGRAsia’s Japan correspondent.
The next IR application window of the national government – open to prefectures and so-called ordinance-level cities – is between May 6, 2027 and November 5, 2027.
‘The basic stance on IR of Hokkaido prefecture’ is to be the foundation for the governor, Naomichi Suzuki, to decide on whether to go ahead with the casino resort initiative, and ultimately to make and submit its ‘IR District Development Plan’ as required by the national government. That is according to GGRAsia’s correspondent.
If Mr Suzuki decides to go ahead, ‘The basic stance’ paper should also be the starting point for an implementation policy on the matter.
Per Tuesday’s prefectural assembly meeting, the current draft of ‘The basic stance’ paper mentions: “The IR business entity should be a special purpose company (SPC) with Hokkaido companies being part of it.”
The paper added: “The purpose of establishing the IR is to capture new tourism demand from affluent individuals and inbound tourists and to maximise the economic effect throughout Hokkaido prefecture.”
It also clarified: “The location municipality will be required to make administrative investments, such as securing land and developing infrastructure.”
Separately on Tuesday, it emerged that Hakodate – a Hokkaido city that had been mentioned as a possible IR site as an alternative to the frontrunner port city of Tomakomai (pictured) – has not yet achieved community consensus on whether to put itself forward.
As a result, Hakodate city council appeared to rule itself out of contention.
During a Tuesday question-and-answer session at a Hakodate city council plenary meeting, the authority said in a statement: “An IR in the city should have a positive economic effect. However, at this moment, the city has not yet established any consensus among the civil population to try having it. The city has not secured land for it.”
“In conclusion, it is almost impossible to work on it for the next application window,” it added.
Japan’s only approved casino project is the JPY1.51-trillion (US$9.42-billion currently) MGM Osaka. It involves Osaka city and prefecture, and their commercial partners MGM Resorts International, Japan’s Orix Corp, and other local companies, and is due to be completed by the end of 2030.
