The budget set aside by Aichi Prefecture last month in its 2026 budget to study the development of an international tourism hub with IR facilities is JPY276.6 million (US$1.75 million) – highlighting the importance the prefecture is placing on its tourism future.
The amount is notable because it dwarfs the JPY9.98 million (US$63,250) allocated by another likely bidder for an IR license, Hokkaido, as part of its 2026 draft budget released on 13 February. That funding is, Hokkaido officials stated, intended for research and a policy review around a “Hokkaido-Style IR Concept”.
It was a few days before this, on 9 February, that Aichi published its “Overview of Priority Measures in the FY2026 Budget” which included JPY276.6 million for International Tourism City Function Development Study Expenses.
The priority measures outline Aichi’s intention to fund research and studies needed to conceptualize and plan the development of functions that support an international tourism city centered around MICE at Chubu Centrair International Airport and the surrounding region – explicitly including IR facilities.
The research aims to investigate what kinds of facilities, services and infrastructure enhancements are needed to boost attractiveness for international visitors and encourage inbound tourism.
Aichi’s intention to join a second round of bidding to develop an IR with casino gaming was confirmed on 12 February – a few days after publication of the prefecture’s budget priority measures – and follows an announcement by the Japan Tourism Agency late last year that it will accept new applications from local governments from 6 May to 5 November 2027.
Despite initial interest from multiple cities and prefectures, only two – Osaka and Nagasaki – ultimately saw the original bidding process through from start to finish and only Osaka proved successful, with the MGM-ORIX consortium breaking ground last year on their US$10 billion MGM Osaka IR.
Under Japan’s IR Implementation Act, up to three licensed can be issued, meaning two licenses are still up for grabs.
RelatedPosts
