Japan’s national government has reaffirmed its commitment to integrated resort (IR) development as part of its long-term tourism strategy, following a cabinet decision on the country’s latest “Tourism Nation Promotion Basic Plan”.
On March 27, the cabinet – led by prime minister Sanae Takaichi (pictured) – approved the Fifth Tourism Nation Promotion Basic Plan, prepared by the Japan Tourism Agency under the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. The section covering IR policy remains unchanged from the draft version released earlier.
Within the plan, IR development is positioned as part of broader efforts to strengthen regional tourism and expand Japan’s meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) sector.
According to the policy document, the government intends to continue promoting integrated resorts under existing legislation.
“The government will promote necessary measures to develop IRs… which will improve the international competitiveness of Japan’s MICE business, promote attractive stay-based tourism and attract inbound visitors to various areas in the country,” the document said.
“At the same time, the government is going ahead with countermeasures to address various concerns about casinos,” it added.
The plan also references the MGM Osaka integrated resort project, which received national approval in April 2023 and remains Japan’s only approved IR development to date.
“With regard to [the] Osaka IR … the government will proceed with the necessary procedures, including evaluating the implementation status and conducting probity examinations when casino business licence applications are made,” the plan said.
MGM Osaka – promoted by U.S.-based casino operator MGM Resorts International in partnership with Japanese financial services firm Orix Corp and other local business interests – is due to launch at the end of 2030. Its cost is currently estimated at JPY1.51 trillion (US$9.45 billion).
A national-level Cabinet Order confirmed on March 10 that the application period for a second round of IR bids will run from May to November 2027.
“The government plans to accept IR District Development Plan applications from May 6, 2027 to November 5, 2027 and will proceed with the necessary procedures to examine IR District Development Plans.” That is per the wording of the Fifth Tourism Nation Promotion Basic Plan.
At least two Japanese prefectures have expressed potential interest in joining the second round of applications.
Today (April 1) Aichi prefecture formally launched a request-for-proposal (RFP) process for a potential IR on an artificial island that also hosts Chubu Centrair International Airport.
Hokkaido prefecture last month announced a bidding process to select a service provider to conduct research related to the possible establishment of an IR with a casino in the prefecture.
AloJapan.com