title: Japan — Outlook: What is coming? | advennt.io canonical: https://advennt.io/jurisdictions/japan/outlook/ [Jurisdictions](https://advennt.io/jurisdictions/) [Japan](https://advennt.io/jurisdictions/japan/) Outlook Japan · Question 11 of 11 # Outlook: What is coming? Unfavourable · Confirmed · AI-generated · [Back to full Japan report →](https://advennt.io/jurisdictions/japan/) Key section parameters | Jurisdiction | Japan (JP) | |---|---| | Regulator | Recorded in register | | Favourability | Unfavourable | | Confidence | Confirmed | | Review status | AI-generated | | Last collected | 18 Oct 2026 | Summary answer Direction: slow IR-only liberalisation. A second licensing round is in preparation — a cabinet-order public-comment period ran August–December 2025, with an application window targeted for ~2026–2027; Hokkaido, Nagasaki, Tokyo and Yokosuka have signalled interest, and the government retains authorit… ## Full section analysis Direction: slow IR-only liberalisation. A second licensing round is in preparation — a cabinet-order public-comment period ran August–December 2025, with an application window targeted for ~2026–2027; Hokkaido, Nagasaki, Tokyo and Yokosuka have signalled interest, and the government retains authority for up to two further IRs. Online gambling remains firmly prohibited with the regime tightening (September 2025 amendment). The Osaka IR targets an Autumn 2030 opening. Japan is a long-term monitoring jurisdiction for online operators, not a near-term entry opportunity.