Japan's first female PM Sanae Takaichi directs ministry to promote Japan IR policy. LDP-Ishin coalition signals push for second Japan casino license round.
Japan’s newly elected first female Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, has placed the promotion of the country’s Integrated Resort (IR) policy high on her government’s agenda. In outlining the key objectives for her incoming Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism, Yasushi Kaneko, PM Takaichi specifically included the advancement of IR development. This directive sends a clear signal of renewed national commitment to the Japan IR policy after years of delays and political uncertainty. The ministry holds responsibility for the Japan Tourism Agency (JTA), the body overseeing the Japan casino license application and approval process.
The renewed focus on the Japan Integrated Resort framework is strongly linked to the recent shift in the country’s political landscape. The formation of a new coalition government between Takaichi’s Liberal Democratic Party ( LDP) and the Japan Innovation Party (Ishin no Kai) has created a more explicitly pro business ruling bloc. Ishin no Kai, whose power base is in Osaka, has been a key political champion of the MGM Osaka IR project, Japan’s only approved Integrated Resort to date. This LDP Ishin coalition is widely expected to accelerate the implementation of the Japan IR policy, a legacy initiative from former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe aimed at boosting tourism and economic growth Japan.
While the MGM Osaka IR project progresses towards its 2030 opening, Takaichi’s directive strongly suggests the Japanese government is preparing to formally reopen the application process for the two remaining national Japan casino license allowances permitted under the Japan IR policy. Reports indicate the government plans to survey all 47 prefectures to gauge interest in hosting an Integrated Resort. If sufficient interest is confirmed, the JTA could launch a new bidding window as early as 2026, following necessary consultations. Potential contenders like the Yokosuka casino project and a revived Hokkaido casino bid are already positioning themselves. Hokkaido’s governor recently announced plans to present a revised IR proposal to the prefectural assembly, addressing previous concerns.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s explicit directive to promote the Japan Integrated Resort policy is the most significant positive signal for the framework in years. While the underlying legislation has remained in place, political momentum had stalled due to various factors, including the pandemic and changes in leadership. Takaichi placing IR development among the top priorities for the relevant ministry provides crucial top down political impetus, strongly suggesting the Japanese government is now committed to seeing the policy through. This directive effectively greenlights the preparations for the second bidding round for the remaining Japan casino license slots, moving the Japan IR policy from a state of limbo into active implementation.
The formation of the LDP Ishin coalition is the key political enabler for this renewed push. Ishin no Kai’s vested interest in the success of the MGM Osaka IR project aligns perfectly with the LDP’s long standing, Abe era commitment to using Integrated Resorts as a tool for economic growth Japan. This coalition removes previous political roadblocks and creates a unified pro IR stance at the heart of the Japanese government. For international operators and investors who have been patiently monitoring the Japan IR policy, this political realignment provides the strongest indication yet that the window of opportunity for the remaining two Japan casino license spots is genuinely approaching, likely accelerating planning and partnership discussions for potential bids like the Yokosuka casino or Hokkaido casino projects.
Despite this positive momentum, challenges remain. The intricate application process defined by the Japan IR policy, requiring strong local government leadership and extensive community consultation, is complex and time consuming. Furthermore, the broader Japanese economy and public sentiment towards casino legalisation will continue to influence the process. However, Takaichi’s directive, backed by the LDP Ishin coalition, significantly lowers the political risk surrounding the Japan Integrated Resort framework. It confirms that, at the highest level of the Japanese government, the Japan IR policy is viewed as a vital component of the country’s future tourism Japan and economic strategy.
