The new mayor of Yokohama on Friday announced the withdrawal of the city's bid to host a casino resort, citing local concerns about gambling addiction and impacts on public safety.

Takeharu Yamanaka, who was elected last month on an anti-casino platform with backing from opposition parties, said in his first policy speech at the local assembly that the municipal government will immediately halt the ongoing process of bidding for a so-called integrated resort — facilities that comprise casinos, hotels and shopping facilities.

The announcement by the head of the second most populous city in the nation after Tokyo came as the country's casino project is at a standstill due to the withdrawal of interest by key foreign operators amid the coronavirus pandemic.