Japan's Yokohama says to join race to host newly legalised casino

TOKYO (Reuters) - Yokohama, Japan's second-largest city, raised its hand on Thursday to host a casino resort, a newly legalised industry the government hopes will stimulate the economy and tourism.

Yokohama Mayor Fumiko Hayashi said the city was preparing a bid, with expectations for such a resort to bring the city a "virtuous cycle" of greater economic investment and growth. She made the comment at a news conference streamed on the city government's website.

Yokohama, facing Tokyo Bay and located a short train ride from the capital, joins other candidates such as Osaka, Nagasaki and Wakayama vying to host integrated resorts (IR) expected to attract more tourists and investment.

(Reporting by Ritsuko Ando; Editing by David Dolan)