Ken Hirata, Governor of Nagasaki (above), has said the prefecture could support a potential integrated resort bid in Omura City, as local business groups consider whether to revive casino resort ambitions ahead of Japan’s next licensing round.
Hirata confirmed that discussions are taking place within Omura’s business community over a possible bid to host an integrated resort with a casino. Under Japan’s IR framework, only prefectures and ordinance-designated cities can submit applications to the national government, meaning Omura would require Nagasaki Prefecture’s backing for any formal proposal.
The Governor said the initial decision should come from Omura itself: “First, Omura City and the local business community need to discuss whether they want an IR and understand the significance of having one,” adding that Nagasaki Prefecture would be prepared to support the process if needed, including sharing knowledge from its previous IR application and using its network of government and industry contacts.
An Omura Bay Green IR Feasibility Study Promotion Council is expected to be established in August, with Omura Mayor Hiroshi Sonoda serving as an Adviser. The group is expected to assess the feasibility of an IR project and provide recommendations to the city and prefecture by the end of 2026.
Nagasaki was one of the contenders in Japan’s first IR licensing round, proposing a casino resort in Sasebo, but the bid was not approved by the central government. The only project cleared in that round was MGM Osaka, the integrated resort being developed by MGM Resorts International, Orix and local partners on Yumeshima island. The Osaka resort is scheduled to open in 2030.
Japan’s next IR application window is scheduled to run from May 6th to November 5th, 2027 and could attract renewed interest from local governments seeking tourism investment, although political support, financing, location selection and community consent remain major requirements.
Image Credit: Japan Times
