Japan’s Hokkaido prefecture will press ahead with a general policy aim of hosting an integrated resort (IR) with casino, in anticipation of the national government opening a new application round.
That is according to a Friday statement from Naomichi Suzuki (pictured), the prefecture’s governor. He added that Hokkaido would adjust its approach on the IR topic, in the light of factors including the tourism landscape in the post-pandemic era.
Hokkaido had contemplated joining a first round of IR applications but dropped out of the picture in late 2019 before the round began.
The governor said Hokkaido – Japan’s northernmost main island – was “going to establish a revised version of the ‘Basic stance on IR of Hokkaido prefecture’ and a ‘Hokkaido-style IR concept'”.
The latter would “make most use of the characteristics” of the prefecture, he added, according to information collated by GGRAsia’s Japan correspondent.
Tomakomai, a port city on Hokkaido’s central south coast, has been mentioned as a strong contender to be Hokkaido’s candidate location.
Hokkaido’s revised basic IR concept has been formed in a draft outline, but not yet made public, according to GGRAsia’s correspondent. It would take into account the results of the IR District Development Plans submitted by other local governments in the country’s first round, stated the governor.
Hokkaido’s updated IR basic stance would weigh “changes in the environment surrounding IRs overseas – such as IR businesses, tourism and MICE after the Covid-19 pandemic,” stated Mr Suzuki, referring latterly to meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) business. The national authorities have pledged to expand that sector as a means of boosting high-value inbound travel to the country.
The official also observed that Hokkaido’s updated IR basic stance would look at “the functions and scale of IR facilities, the direction of economic effects, how to keep a sustainable operation, the current state of gambling addiction, and environmental considerations in facility development”.
The sole casino resort approved in the first-round process was Osaka’s plan for MGM Osaka, a venture between MGM Resorts International and Japan’s Orix Corp, along with smaller contributions from other local corporations.
Mr Suzuki said Hokkaido’s updated IR basic stance would weigh “the advantages and disadvantages of IRs, taking into account the location environment that differs from that of major metropolitan areas such as Osaka”.
The governor stated that Hokkaido would “promptly establish an expert panel composed of academics and other experts to conduct its deliberations, taking into account the results of the Hokkaido expert panel in 2018 and Osaka IR case study”.
The official further noted: “We will continue to exchange opinions with municipalities and related organisations, and will present the status of our deliberations to the Hokkaido Prefectural Assembly at each stage.”
The ‘Basic stance on IR of Hokkaido prefecture’ would be the basis for the governor’s decision on whether the prefecture will submit an IR District Development Plan to the national government. ‘The Hokkaido-Style IR Concept’ is expected to be the foundation for what an IR in Hokkaido should be.
When the first-round process was concluded in December 2023, the only other proposal – from Nagasaki prefecture – was not adopted by the national authorities, citing uncertainty about funding.
