Hokkaido Governor Naomichi Suzuki met directly with Tomakomai Mayor Hirofumi Iwakura to reiterate that the prefecture will not be applying for an IR license in the national first round of applications ending in April 2022.

“A fool dies a thousand deaths; a wise man only one.” This common expression—a garbled version of something written by Shakespeare—might very well be applied to the prospect of IR development in Hokkaido. And indeed, the project has recently died yet another death.

Tomakomai city’s hopes of reentering the Japan IR race have been dashed again as Governor Naomichi Suzuki made clear at a press conference that his earlier rejection of participating in the first round of licensing still stands.

Tomakomai Mayor Hirofumi Iwakura is stepping up his pressure on Hokkaido Governor Naomichi Suzuki to get behind the city’s desire to bid for an IR license. Iwakura has reiterated that the nine month delay in the national timeline should make a bid feasible.

Tomakomai Mayor Hirofumi Iwakura has again pressed the Hokkaido prefectural authorities led by Governor Naomichi Suzuki to rejoin the IR race in the current cycle, arguing that the nine-month delay in the national licensing timeline provides adequate opportunity to resolve environmental and other concerns.

Shigeru Ishiba’s election as Prime Minister opens a potential path for a Hard Rock integrated resort in Hokkaido. Despite previous ambivalence towards casinos, local support remains strong. Ishiba's focus on regional revitalization could foster progress, though upcoming elections may stall immediate developments.

The Japanese government could start considering opening another integrated resort concession application tender around July to August, a Japan-based gaming professional stated.

The recent decision by Japanese authorities to reject the proposal for a new IR in Nagasaki has created a new Asian casino monopoly. Expert Daniel Cheng points out the political machinations that brought about the outcome and the risks now being taken, both by the lone IR operator in Osaka, and the government.

The first legal casino is set to open in the western Kansai region of Japan in 2030. Yet, fate has been the most fickle of friends in the Japanese IR story where the only constant is change, and every step seems to be into the great unknown. Industry expert and author Daniel Cheng outlines the current hindrances and expectations after a decades-long battle.

Hong Kong-listed LET Group Holdings has disclosed that its $27.6 million deal to sell a plot of land in Hokkaido, Japan, has been terminated.