Hokkaido biz groups urge govt to move forward with IR to boost local economy

Eight business organisations in Japan’s Hokkaido prefecture submitted a request to the local governor on Tuesday, urging his administration to move forward with an initiative to host an integrated resort (IR) with casino as a means of boosting the regional economy, according to several local media outlets. Japan’s second application window for local governments interested in hosting a casino resort is due to run from May 6 to November 5, 2027. The Hokkaido administration has so far not indicated whether it would participate in the next application round. “We will proceed with our consideration of the IR while listening to various opinions from the [prefectural] assembly and from the business organisations,” said Hokkaido governor Naomichi Suzuki at Tuesday’s meeting, where he received the request from representatives of the business groups. He was cited by local news outlet HTB Hokkaido News. The Hokkaido Economic Federation was among the eight business groups. The federation’s chairman, Hiroshi Fujii, said the realisation of a Hokkaido casino resort could act as a catalyst for the regional economy, according to local media reports. On Monday, the Hokkaido prefectural government presented a final draft of its updated IR policy – “The Basic Stance on IR of Hokkaido Prefecture” – to a committee of the prefectural assembly. The policy is due to be debated during a regular session of the prefectural assembly that began on Tuesday, according to local reports.