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Yokohama Looks Set to Skip Japan’s 2027 Casino Bidding Round

By jili tutorial · October 6, 2026

Yokohama Looks Set to Skip Japan’s 2027 Casino Bidding Round

Yokohama, Japan’s second-most-populated city, is almost certain to sit out the country’s 2027 casino application window. None of the seven candidates running in the city’s October mayoral election support an integrated resort (IR) for the port city. That makes it highly unlikely Yokohama will take part in Japan’s second round of casino licensing — a round that was expected to draw some of the world’s biggest gaming operators.

This guide explains why Yokohama’s decision matters, what the candidates are saying, and what it means for the future of Japan’s casino industry.

Japan’s IR Program: Big Ambitions, Slow Progress

Japan legalized casino resorts in 2018, authorizing up to three “integrated resort” destinations. An IR is not just a casino; it is a large mixed-use development that typically includes hotels, convention space, shopping, dining, and entertainment. The casino floor is only one part of the package, but it is usually the main profit driver.

So far, however, only one license has been awarded. MGM Resorts is the lead operator behind MGM Osaka, a ¥1.51 trillion (US$9.5 billion) project on Yumeshima Island. That resort is expected to be the first major casino property in Japan, but its slow rollout shows how cautious — and complex — Japan’s IR approval process really is.

A second application window is scheduled to open in May 2027 and run through November. The central government had hoped that this round would produce two more licensed resorts, filling the remaining spots under the 2018 law.

Why Yokohama Is Seen as a Crucial Prize

Yokohama is Japan’s second-largest city by population, behind only Tokyo. Located roughly 20 miles south of the capital, it sits in Kanagawa Prefecture, part of the greater Tokyo metropolitan area. That location makes it an extremely attractive site for any casino operator hoping to draw both domestic tourists and international visitors.

Industry analysts had expected Yokohama to anchor the second IR round. Global gaming companies such as Las Vegas Sands, Wynn Resorts, Caesars Entertainment, Genting, and Melco Resorts were all rumored to be watching the city closely. A Yokohama bid would have created competition for Osaka and brought serious international capital into Japan’s casino market.

But that scenario now looks unlikely. The city’s next mayor will almost certainly oppose any casino proposal, and without local government support, a Yokohama bid cannot move forward under Japan’s centralized IR approval system.

The Mayoral Election: Seven Candidates, No Casino Backers

Yokohama’s special mayoral election is scheduled for October 18. Seven candidates are in the race, and none of them support an integrated resort.

The list includes former mayor Takeharu Yamanaka, who resigned in September but has since decided to run again. Yamanaka previously served as mayor in 2021, and one of his first official acts was to withdraw Yokohama’s earlier IR candidacy. His return to the race is another sign that the city is not interested in casinos.

The other candidates are:

The Candidates at a Glance

CandidateAgeBackgroundStance on IR
Takeharu Yamanaka—Former mayor; resigned in SeptemberOpposed; withdrew Yokohama’s IR bid in 2021
Sachiko Fujikawa51Civic group leaderOpposed; former anti-IR campaigner
Kazuma Nakatani43Former lawmakerOpposed; includes “zero casinos” in platform
Atsumi Harasawa59LawyerOpposed
Atsushi Fukuyama37Corporate executiveSays IR does not align with his policy goals
Riken Yamamoto81ArchitectOpposed; proposes traditional townhouses at Yamashita Pier
Yuka Asaka46Deputy leader, Japanese Communist Party, KanagawaSays IR does not align with her policy goals

What the Candidates Are Saying

Nakatani’s “Zero” Platform

Kazuma Nakatani is perhaps the most vocal opponent of gambling in the race. He has made the casino issue one of his six campaign “zeros.” His platform includes:

That last pledge is a clear signal that Nakatani wants to position Yokohama as a city focused on social policy rather than casino development.

Fujikawa’s Anti-IR Activism

Sachiko Fujikawa has a long history of anti-IR campaigning. She took part in grassroots opposition to previous casino proposals in Yokohama and has maintained that stance throughout the current race. For her, the casino issue is not just about policy; it is about the kind of community Yokohama wants to be.

Yamamoto’s Alternative Vision

Architect Riken Yamamoto has also rejected the idea of an IR. Instead of a casino, he says he has a better plan for Yamashita Pier — a prominent waterfront area in Yokohama. His proposal includes building “machiyas,” which are traditional Japanese wooden townhouses. Yamamoto’s vision is to create a culturally rich public space rather than a commercial gambling district.

Harasawa, Fukuyama, and Asaka

The remaining candidates are less outspoken but equally opposed. Atsumi Harasawa, a lawyer, has said he will not embrace an IR. Atsushi Fukuyama, a corporate executive, and Yuka Asaka, a Communist Party official, have both said that casino development does not align with their policy goals.

What Happens Next?

The October 18 special election will determine the direction of Yokohama’s city government. If, as expected, a casino opponent wins, any possibility of a Yokohama IR bid will effectively end.

That would be a significant setback for the second national IR round. Without Yokohama, the pool of willing local governments shrinks dramatically. The central government has the authority to choose where casinos are built, but it rarely overrides local opposition.

Implications for Japan’s Second IR Bidding Round

Fewer Players, Less Competition

The absence of Yokohama would leave Japan’s second IR round with far less momentum. So far, only two companies have expressed interest: Bally’s Corporation and Galaxy Entertainment Group. Both are major players, but neither has the same scale as some of the global giants that had been eyeing Yokohama.

Without a major metropolitan bid, the 2027 application window could become a low-key affair. The national government may still receive applications, but the competitive dynamic will be very different.

MGM’s Head Start

MGM Resorts and its partners are already building in Osaka. That gives MGM a significant head start in the Japanese market. If no other major resort emerges until the late 2020s, MGM Osaka could operate with little domestic competition for years.

A Delicate Political Issue

Japan’s IR policy has always been politically sensitive. Public opinion on casinos is mixed, and local elections often become referendums on gambling. The fact that every candidate in Yokohama’s mayoral race opposes a casino shows just how toxic the issue has become.

A Practical Guide: How Japan’s IR Bidding Works

For those unfamiliar with the process, here is a simple breakdown of how a Japanese casino resort gets approved.

Step 1: Local Government Must Agree

The first step is local. A prefecture or designated city must decide that it wants to host an IR. That decision is usually made by the governor or mayor, often with approval from the local assembly.

Step 2: The Local Government Selects a Private Partner

Once a local government commits, it selects a private company or consortium to develop the resort. That partner must have experience in hospitality, entertainment, and casino operations.

Step 3: The Local Government Submits an Application

After selecting a partner, the local government prepares a detailed development plan. That plan is submitted to the national government, which reviews it against national criteria.

Step 4: The National Government Grants the License

The final decision rests with the national government. It can approve, reject, or defer applications. This centralized process means that local opposition is almost always fatal to a bid, but local support alone is not enough.

Key Takeaways

Yokohama was once seen as the jewel of Japan’s casino expansion. Now, with a mayoral race united against gambling, the city appears ready to move on — and Japan’s second IR round will have to find its energy elsewhere.