Tokyo, Sept. 24 (Jiji Press)–Eight areas in Japan are considering hosting casino-featuring integrated resorts, tourism minister Kazuyoshi Akaba said Tuesday.

The eight are Hokkaido, the city of Chiba, Tokyo, the city of Yokohama, the city of Nagoya, the group of Osaka Prefecture and the city of Osaka, Wakayama Prefecture and Nagasaki Prefecture, Akaba said at a press conference, citing the results of a survey conducted by the Japan Tourism Agency.

The agency will conduct interviews with officials from these eight areas to confirm the status of preparations. The survey was carried out from Sept. 9 through Thursday.

A separate survey conducted by Jiji Press has found that the cities of Kawasaki and Hamamatsu are considering hosting casino resorts in addition to the eight areas.

Local governments that wish to host casino resorts are required to file for state approval of their development plans. The central government plans to permit casino construction at up to three locations.