World Cup - Boost for Japan's 2015 bid

Eurosport - Tue, 31 Mar 09:01:00 2009

Japan's bid to host the 2015 Rugby World Cup has been given government backing with Prime Minister Taro Aso joining the bidding committee.

RUGBY 2007 World Cup Trophy - 0

The Japan Rugby Football Union has confirmed that Aso had pledged his commitment to the country's bid and would act as the committee's executive adviser.

Japan insisted the global economic downturn would not have any adverse effect on their bid and the JRFU have already secured corporate backing from some of the country's largest companies, including Toyota, Toshiba and Suntory.

Japan lost out to New Zealand in the race to host the 2011 World Cup and faces competition from England, South Africa, Italy and Australia in the bidding for the 2015 tournament.

Wales, Scotland and Ireland have also expressed an interest in staging the event.

"The support of the government and Japan's financial circle is a big step forward," said former Japanese PM Yoshiro Mori, now serving as the president of the JRFU. "We are confident."

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has thrown his support behind England's bid, widely believed to be the biggest threat to Japan's hopes of hosting Asia's first Rugby World Cup.

Japan is one of several countries to have bid for both the 2015 and 2019 tournaments.

Reuters

Comment 1 - 4 of 4

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  1. very selfish attitude,from joe wylie,must be­ english,why shouldnt japan host it .we have to make­ rugby global not just for the top teams to host the­ event,japan will do a great job which will only be good­ for world rugby

    From haydn, on Wed 13 May 4:26PM

  2. Japan should dget this.AS the worlds biggest player­ base! It has more registered players than any other­ nation. It always gets into the world cup as the best­ team in Asia, and if rugby is to develop then asia must­ be represented. They will do a wonderful job of hosting­ it, they have all the infrastructure and stadiums just­ look at the Footy world cup they hosted. It will be­ good for rugby.

    From stephen a, on Wed 13 May 3:16PM

  3. they are nation that is developing in terms of rugby i­ feel that hosting the event in japan will be extremely­ beneficial.

    From phillip.rees, on Wed 13 May 1:50PM

  4. Why the hell should Japan host the RWC they're not­ a rugby nation they only just get into the world cup­ and they only want to host it so they'll get into­ the competition

    From joe.wyllie, on Tue 31 Mar 8:57PM
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