Aichi Prefecture is taking steps to attract integrated resorts (IR), which include casinos, with a focus on land located on the eastern side of Central Japan International Airport Island in Tokoname City. The prefectural government plans to solicit opinions and proposals from interested private operators to evaluate the feasibility of moving forward with the project and ultimately submitting a formal application to the national government. Governor Hideaki Omura cited the relatively low number of foreign tourists visiting Aichi compared to other major cities as a central reason for this initiative, indicating a need to bolster international tourism in the region.

The decision to explore the possibility of attracting integrated resorts follows earlier discussions that began in 2017, when the prefecture established a research committee at the request of the Tokoname Chamber of Commerce and the Tokoname City Council. Aichi initially sought proposals from IR-related businesses between late 2019 and 2020. However, this momentum was interrupted by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to a suspension of discussions. The recent announcement marks a revival of these efforts, with the prefectural government hoping to generate economic benefits such as job creation, which could help mitigate the outflow of young residents to the Tokyo area.

In addition to addressing tourism, Governor Omura mentioned the potential for IR revenues to support medical and welfare initiatives in the financially strained prefecture. The plan reflects a broader trend in Japan where local governments are looking to attract tourism and investment through integrated resort developments, recognizing the economic potential of such facilities while also contending with the implications of the global pandemic on travel and tourism.