Tomakomai city (pictured), on the central south coast of Japan’s Hokkaido prefecture, “will not miss the opportunity” of pursuing the chance to develop an integrated resort (IR) with casino, said the city’s mayor, Suguru Kanazawa, in a press briefing this week.
Promotional efforts linked to the IR tilt have been included in the city’s draft budget for fiscal year 2026.
“Now that the central government’s steps regarding the IR initiative have become quite evident, Tomakomai city plans to go ahead … together with the Hokkaido prefecture. We will not miss the opportunity,” Mr Kanazawa stated.
He added: “An IR should have a positive economic impact on both Tomakomai city and Hokkaido prefecture. Tomakomai city will not only support and work with Hokkaido prefecture but also work on what it can on its own.”
Japan’s Hokkaido prefecture is pressing ahead with a general policy aim of hosting a casino resort, in anticipation of the national government opening a new application round.
Hokkaido expressed interest prior to the first round, but eventually dropped out of contention in late 2019, before the first round began.
The new application window for communities that wish to host an IR has been set as May 6, 2027 to November 5 that year, according to a December announcement by Japan’s national government.
The sole fruit of the first-round process, the JPY1.51-trillion (US$9.57-billion currently) MGM Osaka, is due to launch at the end of 2030.
Elsewhere in Japan, Aichi prefecture announced on Thursday its intention to join the country’s next round of applications to host a casino resort. The prefectural authorities are reportedly launching a request for information (RFI) to gauge interest from potential developers.
