Aichi Prefecture has revived plans for an integrated resort in central Japan, with Governor Hideaki Omura presenting the project as a potential international tourism hub near Nagoya.
The proposed development would be located on an artificial island next to Chubu Centrair International Airport, one of central Japan’s principal international gateways. The airport serves several major Asian destinations, including Seoul, Taipei, Manila, Hong Kong, Bangkok and Shanghai.
Aichi launched a request for proposal process on April 1st, as it considers whether to pursue one of Japan’s remaining IR licences. Interested parties have until July 31st to submit participation documents. The prefecture is expected to select a preferred operator between autumn 2026 and spring 2027, before any application to Japan’s national government.
Japan’s integrated resort framework allows for up to three casino resort licences, but only one project has so far been approved. MGM Resorts International and Orix are developing the country’s first IR in Osaka, which is scheduled to open in 2030.
Aichi previously considered an IR bid in 2019 but paused the process during the Covid period. The prefecture has now returned to the concept as Japan’s regional governments assess whether large scale casino resorts can support inbound tourism, local employment and public revenue.
Omura said the proposed resort could help attract more international visitors to Aichi, which has historically received fewer foreign tourists than Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto despite its manufacturing base and airport access. The location is central to the proposal. By placing the resort next to Chubu Centrair International Airport, Aichi hopes to create a destination that can appeal directly to overseas visitors and strengthen the region’s role as a gateway to central Japan.
The prefecture is also seeking new sources of long-term revenue. Local officials have suggested that income generated by an IR could support wider policy priorities, including welfare and healthcare spending. However, the project remains at an early stage and faces significant hurdles. Aichi has not selected an operator, secured national approval or confirmed whether a viable private sector consortium is prepared to fund the development. Rising construction costs are also a concern. Japan’s first approved IR in Osaka has already highlighted the scale and complexity of developing casino resorts under the country’s regulatory framework.
The appetite of international operators will be watched closely. While Japan has long been regarded as one of Asia’s most attractive untapped casino markets, the slow pace of licensing, high investment requirements and local opposition have limited participation. Aichi’s return to the IR process gives Japan a second potential casino resort candidate beyond Osaka. Whether it can move from airport island concept to approved national project will depend on operator interest, local political support and the prefecture’s ability to present a credible tourism and investment case.
