A year since Japan made history in being the first Asian country
to be awarded hosting rights for a Rugby World Cup, preparations
have been given a significant boost with the announcement of full
cross-party and business sector support to ensure that Japan hosts
a successful tournament in 2019.
At a special briefing the Japan Rugby Football Union (JRFU)
unveiled details of its strategy plan developed to deliver a
tournament which Japan, Asia and the global Rugby community can be
proud of and which delivers the framework to accelerate the growth
of Rugby throughout Asia.
Central to the strategy is the full commitment and support of
all parliamentary parties, the Ministry of Education, Culture,
Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), The National Agency for the
Advancement of Sports and Health (NAASH). All will work closely
with the Japan Rugby Football Union Organising Committee to ensure
that all conditions of hosting set out by tournament owners Rugby
World Cup Limited (RWCL) are met.
"One of the pillars of the MEXT Sports Nation Strategy
includes full support of major international tournaments such as
Rugby World Cup. We promise that the Ministry of Education,
Culture, Sports, Science and Technology fully supports Rugby World
Cup 2019 and we will work in close collaboration with the
JRFU," said Haruki Ozaki, Parliamentary Secretary for MEXT.
In addition, the Parliamentary Rugby Group President Gen
Nakatani has announced the creation of a special support committee
for Rugby World Cup 2019 comprising of 60 ministers from all of
Japan's political parties in recognition of the importance of
hosting the tournament to Japan and its people.
At the briefing support was also reiterated from leaders in
the business and public sectors including Kiyoko Ono, Chairman of
The National Agency for the Advancement of Sports and Health
(NAASH), Hiroshi Sato, Vice Governor of City of Tokyo, Tsunekazu
Takeda, President of the Japan Olympic Committee (JOC), Shunichiro
Okano, Supreme Adviser of Japan Football Association (JFA) and the
Japan Tourism Agency.
"All tournament stakeholders are fully committed to
delivering a fantastic, memorable and ultimately successful Rugby
World Cup in 2019," said JRFU Chairman Nobby Mashimo.
"We are working closely with the Government of Japan and
local governments and have their full support and Rugby World Cup
is a key element of the MEXT Sports Nation Strategy. We also have
the backing of the Japan Tourism Agency."
"We will continue to work with RWCL to ensure that we
deliver a tournament that fits the International Rugby Board's
strategic goals of growing the Game. This is an exciting
opportunity for the JRFU and Japan," added Mashimo.
The coming months will see the establishment of the Rugby
World Cup 2019 Organising Committee to deliver all aspects of
planning and preparation as well as RWCL and Government liaison to
ensure that all hosting conditions are met, preparation accelerated
and plans implemented to leverage the opportunities to the host
nation of hosting one of the world's biggest and most
prestigious sports events.
At a special ceremony to mark the one year milestone since
being awarded the right to host the tournament, the JRFU also
unveiled plans to improve competitiveness of the national team in
the run up to Rugby World Cup 2011 in New Zealand and beyond, while
the Union will also focus on developing its own domestic leagues
and raising the profile of the Game in Japan.
"The JRFU is also working to improve the competitiveness
of the Japan National Team in the Rugby World Cup 2011 in New
Zealand and Rugby World Cup 2015 in England and use these two
tournaments as springboards towards an exciting Rugby World Cup
2019 in Japan," said Mashimo.
"The JRFU has nine years until Rugby World Cup 2019.
This may seem like a long time, but in reality, it is a short time
period to prepare. The JRFU and its stakeholders will make every
effort to ensure that the RWC 2019 in Japan will be a resounding
success. We will use due diligence in progressing forward.
JRFU's goal is to provide happiness and inspiration to everyone
in the Rugby Family."
