Japan’s Aichi prefecture has received formal participation documents from the private sector for its proposed integrated resort (IR) on Chubu Centrair International Airport Island. Detailed proposals are due by March 23rd, 2027.
The prefectural government said on October 7th that participation paperwork had been submitted by the September 30th deadline. It withheld both the names and number of applicants, citing the need to maintain fair competition.
Aichi launched its request-for-proposal process on April 1st to assess the project’s feasibility and select a private-sector partner to develop and operate the casino resort.
The timetable provides for competitive dialogue with applicants until around winter 2026–27. The selection process includes eligibility screening and an expert committee’s assessment of detailed proposals before an operator candidate is chosen.
Aichi had revised the timetable in June, extending the participation deadline from July 31st to September 30th. The deadline for detailed proposal documents, previously indicated as around winter, has now been fixed.
Airport island project
The proposed IR would occupy approximately 50 hectares in Tokoname city, on the island housing Chubu Centrair International Airport. The prefecture’s development policy envisages incorporating the existing Aichi Sky Expo exhibition facility into a resort combining a casino, hotels, conference facilities and entertainment.
The project forms part of Aichi’s plan to develop an international tourism hub centered on meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE).
Aichi resumed examining the feasibility of an IR in February, after earlier studies were interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The prefecture subsequently sought private-sector feedback before opening the formal proposal process.
Under the tender requirements, the project term would expire 35 years after national certification of the district development plan, with extensions subject to prefectural approval. The operator would generally bear project costs, including land-use costs.
Following operator selection, Aichi and its chosen partner would jointly prepare an IR district development plan. Submission to the national government would require consent from Tokoname city and the prefectural public safety commission, alongside approval from the prefectural assembly.
Japan’s next application window for IR development plans runs from May 6th to November 5th, 2027.
