Updates May 21 story to add Polymarket response in bullet points 4 and 5

May 21 (Reuters) - Prediction market platform Polymarket has appointed a representative in Japan and is preparing to lobby for its authorization in the country, Bloomberg News reported on Thursday, citing people familiar with the matter.

The world's largest prediction market platform allows users to place bets using cryptocurrency on real-world events across sports, entertainment, politics and the economy.

• Polymarket is targeting government approval in Japan by 2030, Bloomberg News reported.

• Mike Eidlin, who has been heading Japan operations at crypto firm Jupiter, is leading Polymarket's efforts in the country, the report said.

• Polymarket currently lists its front-end app and the website as blocked in Japan.

• Polymarket has seen growing interest from users across Asia, including Japan, a company spokesperson said.

• "We're always evaluating opportunities to expand access globally in compliant and locally appropriate ways, and welcome dialogue with parties who share our interest in transparent, data-driven markets," the spokesperson said.

• Earlier this week, Polymarket launched prediction markets tied to the performance of private companies through an agreement with Nasdaq Private Market, marking a first for the rapidly growing sector, it said.

• The company struck a deal with News Corp's <NWSA.O> Dow Jones earlier this year to bring real-time prediction market data to outlets, including the Wall Street Journal, Barron's and MarketWatch.

• Prediction markets have shifted from a niche corner of crypto and academic finance into a rapidly growing trading segment in under two years, with volumes and user activity surging. NYSE parent Intercontinental Exchange <ICE.N> has an agreement to invest up to $2 billion in the company.