The Cabinet on Tuesday approved Japan's bid to stage the 2018 or 2022 World Cup soccer tournament, saying hosting the global event would not only promote sports and international exchanges but give the public some much-needed upbeat news.
Japan Football Association President Motoaki Inukai, who is leading the charge as committee chief to host the World Cup, is expected to file official papers with FIFA this week.
"The government will do what it can to assist" the bid, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirofumi Hirano said. Although he said specifics of the assistance have not been determined, the government is expected to lay out what it intends to provide in assistance, including security and transportation, by May.