The city and prefecture of Osaka and two other prefectures in western Japan plan to apply to host newly legalized casino resorts, but dozens more are reluctant to do so amid concerns over public safety, a Kyodo News survey has found.
The survey, conducted in November and December, covered all of the nation's 47 prefectures and 20 major cities that are eligible to apply for the so-called integrated resorts encompassing casinos, hotels and conference rooms. The government aims to have such resorts, to be built in up to three locations, start operating by the mid-2020s.
Osaka Prefecture and the city of Osaka, which will bid jointly, plus Wakayama Prefecture and Nagasaki Prefecture said they expect the facilities to create jobs and bring other positive economic benefits.