An expert panel established by the Hokkaido Government to examine the prefecture’s potential pursuit of an integrated resort (IR) license has confirmed it will progress to the stage of considering candidate sites. It also pointed to Hakodate and Tomakomai as two cities to have expressed an interest in becoming home to an IR.
The update followed the sixth and final meeting of the expert panel on Tuesday, where researchers from Hokkaido Prefecture and its universities discussed the social impact and business model of a Hokkaido IR. Its current findings, including those related to gambling addiction measures, will be presented to the Hokkaido Prefectural Assembly in September.
It is understood the expert panel will also provide its recommendations to the government in regard to a preferred IR site although it is unclear if this will form part of its presentation to the Assembly next month.
Hokkaido has not yet committed to submitting an IR District Development Plan to Japan’s national government with the final decision on whether to proceed resting with governor Naomichi Suzuki.
It was Suzuki that in 2019 shelved Hokkaido’s initial IR bid, citing environmental concerns and the lack of sufficient time to conduct a full environmental assessment on potential locations.
While only one IR license was ultimately awarded – to Osaka and the MGM-ORIX consortium – the Japan Tourism Agency announced last year its intention to launch a second round of bids for up to two more IRs.
The application period is slated to run from 6 May to 5 November 2027 although only a handful of potential candidates – namely Hokkaido and Aichi – have officially expressed interest.
Hard Rock International, which previously opened an office in Tomakomai in 2018 in preparation for a bid, confirmed to IAG last year that it remains committed to pursuing an IR in Hokkaido.
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