JRFU Welcomes World Rugby Delegation to Tokyo
The Japan Rugby Football Union was delighted to welcome a senior delegation from World Rugby to Japan, led by newly elected Chairman Brett Robinson and Chief Executive Alan Gilpin. The group were in Tokyo for meetings with the JRFU and other key Japanese stakeholders, including commercial partners and sponsors.
At a press conference to mark their visit, Robinson and Gilpin addressed a large Japanese and international media contingent. They both recounted their fond memories of being in Japan during Rugby World Cup in 2019 and noted the tournament’s record-breaking success and the strong legacy it left for both Japanese Rugby and the tournament’s 12 Host Cities
With the JRFU having already outlined its ambition to host future Rugby World Cups in its current Mid-Term Strategic Plan, both World Rugby executives openly acknowledged this aspiration and expressed their belief that following the success of 2019, bringing rugby’s showpiece tournament back to Japan, along with other major international tournaments, is a very likely possibility.
Commenting during the press conference, World Rugby Chairman Brett Robinson said:
“The Japanese Rugby Union were significant supporters throughout my election campaign, and I’m very grateful for that support. It’s therefore appropriate that Japan is the first country I visit after our first board meeting in Australia last week. We got together as a board to speak about where the game is currently at, and where the future of the game may be. Japan is a significant part of that story and as an Australian that played and toured here, and who also witnessed the success of Rugby World Cup in 2019, I understand this significance.”
World Rugby Chief Executive Alan Gilpin added:
“From a personal perspective, it’s wonderful to be back in Japan. Even with the success of France 2023, we’ve taken the time to really reflect on what a wonderful tournament Japan hosted in 2019, a tournament for which all of us involved in can look back on with huge pride. We can look forward very positively in our discussions with the JRFU, government agencies and other partners about hosting future Rugby World Cups in Japan.
“The landscape of Japanese rugby has continued to thrive and grow, both with the national teams in fifteens and sevens, but also with the success Japan Rugby League One as one of the most thriving professional leagues in the world of rugby. It’s very exciting to be here and to be discussing with the JRFU and other partners here about bringing Rugby World Cups to Japan in the future.
“We recognise that it’s a specific goal in the strategic plans of Japanese rugby to host the men’s World Cup in either 2035 or 2039, and also the possibility to host a future women’s World Cup. That’s a great project for us to work on together and to be having very specific discussions on what would need to be in place for those decisions to be taken, with plenty of time in advance of those future tournaments. It’s an exciting proposition for all of us.”
Commenting at the beginning of the press conference as he welcomed the World Rugby delegation to Japan, JRFU President, Masato Tsuchida said:
“We are delighted to welcome World Rugby’s leadership back to Japan, and in particular Brett Robinson who assumed his position as World Rugby Chair in November last year. The JRFU firmly supports World Rugby in its pursuit of financial sustainability, while working to grow the game globally. This sits alongside its firm focus on player welfare and fan engagement. The JRFU will continue to work towards the development of rugby in Japan and the rest of Asia within these same guiding principles.
“We’ve have made clear our ambition to host the 2035 and 2037 Men’s and Women’s World Cups. To achieve this, it is vital that the JRFU remains financially stable, and that we strengthen our operations and organisation. In addition, the success of the national team is essential, and we remain firmly committed to the ongoing development of both our women’s and men’s national teams, in Fifteens and Sevens.”
