InsideJapan News Network

The Japanese Rugby Football Union (JRFU) has welcomed the recommendation of competition organisers Rugby World Cup Limited (RWCL) that Japan be the host of the 2019 tournament.

RWCL, an arm of the International Rugby Board, has endorsed Japan as a venue for the showpiece tournament on the grounds that it would "provide a gateway to the further development and expansion of the game in Asia".

While RWCL's recommendation is not decisive, it is likely to play a large part in IRB's final decision on the 2019 venue, which is to be announced on July 28th 2009.

JRFU president and former Japanese prime minister Yoshiro Mori expressed his happiness with the endorsement and expressed his confidence that a Japanese world cup would help rugby to become "a truly global sport".

Japan is also currently lobbying for Tokyo to be the host city for the 2016 Olympic Games and presented its pitch to the International Olympic Committee in Switzerland last month.

Written by Mark Smith


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