Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost prefecture, is once again considering the possibility of hosting a casino resort, nearly six years after Governor Naomichi Suzuki ruled out submitting a formal bid due to environmental and timing concerns, according to The Japan Times report.
In August, the prefectural government surveyed municipalities to measure interest in pursuing an integrated resort (IR) licence. The survey revealed renewed enthusiasm, particularly from Tomakomai and Kushiro, while Hakodate has begun gathering information.
Japan’s only approved IR is currently under construction in Osaka, where the Yumeshima-based MGM Osaka project broke ground earlier this year. The development is scheduled to open in 2030, and government regulators have described progress as “vigorous,” with detailed designs nearly complete and infrastructure upgrades already underway.
Tomakomai revives bid in Uenae district
According to the local media report, Tomakomai was previously the leading Hokkaido candidate when the IR framework was launched in 2018. Its proposed site in the Uenae district, located near New Chitose Airport, was strongly promoted by city officials until the prefectural government halted the bid in 2019.
Concerns were raised then about the impact on rare bird habitats, including the northern goshawk and black woodpecker. Suzuki decided there was insufficient time to assess the environmental risks before the national government’s application deadline in 2021.
This year, Tomakomai officials restated their commitment to hosting an IR. Mayor Suguru Kanazawa and Deputy Mayor Masato Machida emphasised that the Uenae site remains the preferred location. The city’s proximity to major transport hubs continues to make it attractive for developers seeking to draw both domestic and international tourists.
Kushiro eyes Lake Akan development
Kushiro has also entered the discussion, signalling interest in situating a resort in the Lake Akan district. Mayor Hidenori Tsuruma described a casino as essential to elevating the area as a tourism hub, although no formal bid has been submitted.
Lake Akan’s natural setting, however, raises similar questions about environmental preservation. The region is also home to a large Indigenous Ainu population, making cultural integration a key issue. Tsuruma has cited examples abroad where Indigenous communities play direct roles in casino operations, suggesting that a local project could adopt a similar model.
Hakodate adopts cautious stance
Hakodate has taken a more reserved position. Mayor Jun Oizumi said the city is still in the information-gathering stage and has yet to put forward concrete plans. Hakodate’s limited jurisdiction may restrict its ability to host a resort of the required scale, but officials have not ruled out future participation.
Approval process remains complex
The report said that any move to develop a Hokkaido IR would require approval from residents before the governor can endorse a proposal. Should more than one municipality proceed, the prefectural government would face the task of choosing which plan to back. Even then, the central government has the final say on whether a project is approved.
Suzuki has acknowledged both the opportunities and risks. He has linked IRs to wider strategies for revitalising the economy through meetings, conventions, and tourism, but also stressed the need to address public concerns about gambling addiction and environmental impact.
National context and Osaka’s progress
Japan’s national government initially intended to license three IR projects but has so far granted only one, to Osaka. The MGM Osaka development, led by MGM Resorts International and Japan’s Orix Corporation, is valued at JPY1.27 trillion (€7.9 billion). The project will include 2,500 hotel rooms, large-scale conference and exhibition space, entertainment venues, and a casino floor limited by law to 3 percent of the total indoor area.
Transport and infrastructure works are already in progress, including a new metro station and an extension to the Kintetsu Nara line. Authorities have also announced future development phases for Yumeshima to create entertainment and gateway zones alongside the resort. Yokosuka in Kanagawa prefecture is also emerging as a candidate for one of the remaining two licences.
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AloJapan.com