Ōtō town in Japan’s Fukuoka prefecture interested in hosting an IR: report

Ōtō, a small town in the northeast of Japan’s Kyushu island and part of the Fukuoka prefecture, is interested in hosting an integrated resort (IR) with casino, according to a report in the Yomiuri Shimbun news outlet. Per the media platform, the town has been holding briefing sessions for residents since mid-September, and plans to hold a press conference to announce further details of its ambitions once it has gained “understanding” of residents’ views. With a population of only circa 5,000, Ōtō (pictured) is not eligible to apply directly to the national government for the right to host an IR. The next application window runs from early May to November 2027. According to a statement from Ōtō town – cited by Yomiuri Shimbun’s Saturday report – several IR operators have visited the community for what were termed “inspections” and have evaluated its proximity to Fukuoka and Kitakyushu airports, as well as its “good access” to tourist destinations in Oita and Kumamoto prefectures. According to estimates by Ōtō town and a number of organisations, the economic impact of any IR is estimated at approximately JPY1 trillion (US$6.37 billion), with 7,000 jobs to be created in the post-development phase. Ōtō’s mayor, Joji Nagahara, told the Yomiuri Shimbun in an interview: “After the closure of the coal mines that supported Japan, Tagawa continued to decline.” He added: “Many predecessors have worked on regional revitalisation, but the population decline continues unabated. We want to realise this as a last-ditch effort to attract businesses and ensure our survival.” Two other places in Kyushu – Sasebo and Omura, in Nagasaki prefecture – have also each expressed interest in the IR initiative, though Omura has indicated its timetable for mulling the opportunity is likely to extend beyond the next application window. Sasebo’s mayor has said a decision whether to pursue an IR opportunity might be made by the end of the current financial year, in March 2027. Sasebo was Nagasaki’s previously-proposed location for an IR, though that effort was turned down by the national government in December 2023, with the authorities citing concerns about the project’s funding. Two more IR resort licences are currently available under Japan’s present liberalisation framework. The only approved IR so far is MGM Osaka, being developed by United States-based casino group MGM Resorts International, with local partners including Orix Corp. The US$1.51-trillion MGM Osaka is due to open at the end of 2030.