Tomakomai, a city in Japan’s Hokkaido prefecture, has elected Suguru Kanazawa, a proponent of integrated resorts (IRs) that include casinos, as its new mayor. Kanazawa, a former member of the Tomakomai city council, secured victory in a two-candidate race on Sunday. His campaign, supported by the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and New Party Daichi, reignites discussions about the possibility of Tomakomai bidding for an IR license.

Kanazawa’s win reflects the city’s potential revival of its long-expressed interest in hosting an integrated resort. In November 2019, Hokkaido Governor Naomichi Suzuki chose not to submit an application for a casino resort during Japan’s initial bidding phase, citing environmental concerns and insufficient preparation time.

The election result may pave the way for Tomakomai to revisit its ambitions, especially as Japan explores additional phases of IR licensing. Kanazawa’s campaign received backing from former Tomakomai mayor Hirofumi Iwakura, who had also supported IR initiatives for the city, according to GGRAsia.

Kanazawa secured 28,879 votes against his opponent, Kazuya Tamura, who received 24,925 votes. Despite the low voter turnout of 33.99%, the figure marked an increase of 4.71 percentage points compared to the previous mayoral election in June 2022.

Broader National Context for Integrated Resorts

Kanazawa’s election aligns with a broader national conversation about Japan’s casino resort development. So far, the MGM Osaka project, valued at JPY 1.27 trillion (approximately USD 8.47 billion), is the only approved IR in the country. Construction of the Osaka resort is underway, with a planned opening in 2030.

Meanwhile, other regions are reigniting their efforts to secure casino resort licenses. In Nagasaki prefecture, a meeting was recently held to discuss another attempt at securing an IR. Nagasaki Governor Kengo Oishi revealed in late November that the Japan Tourism Agency had sent a questionnaire regarding IR policies, possibly hinting at a new round of applications.

Kanazawa’s election could place Tomakomai in a favorable position to participate if Japan opens the bidding process again, even though the Hokkaido prefecture government was not very keen on competing for such a license. The city’s economically strained status as an industrial port makes the potential economic benefits of hosting an IR particularly appealing.

Local and National Implications

The outcome of Tomakomai’s mayoral race may have far-reaching implications for the city and Japan’s broader IR policy. Kanazawa’s victory highlights a renewed interest in exploring the economic opportunities presented by integrated resorts.

While it remains to be seen if Hokkaido will officially pursue an IR bid under Kanazawa’s leadership, his election signals a step toward potentially revisiting the city’s casino aspirations. As Japan’s tourism and gaming sectors evolve, Tomakomai could become a key player in the country’s efforts to integrate casino resorts into its economic strategy.