Promotion of International Exchanges and Cooperation

2019 Rugby World Cup

Scheduled period

September – October 2019 (approximately 7 weeks)

Participating teams and matches

20 teams, 48 matches (40 qualifying pool matches, 8 final tournament matches)

Venues

12 cities across Japan
 Sapporo City, Hokkaido Prefecture
 Kamaishi City, Ishikawa Prefecture
 Kumagaya City, Saitama Prefecture
 Tokyo
 Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture
 Shizuoka Prefecture
 Toyoda City, Aichi Prefecture
 Higashi-Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture
 Kobe City
 Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture
 Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture
 Oita Prefecture

History

The first Rugby World Cup held in 1987 was co-hosted by New Zealand and Australia. 8 tournaments have been held up until 2015.
 (1)First Rugby World Cup 1987, co-hosted by New Zealand and Australia
 (2)Second Rugby World Cup 1991, England
 (3)Third Rugby World Cup 1995, South Africa
 (4)Fourth Rugby World Cup 1999, Wales
 (5)Fifth Rugby World Cup 2003, Australia
 (6)Sixth Rugby World Cup 2007, France
 (7)Seventh Rugby World Cup 2011, New Zealand
 (8)Eighth Rugby World Cup 2015, England
 (9)Ninth Rugby World Cup 2019, Japan

2019 Rugby World Cup in Tokyo

(1) The first RWC to be held in Asia
(2) The first RWC to take place outside traditional rugby nations
(3) The first RWC to be held ever since Rugby Sevens was added to the Olympics

Venues

Host Cities

Sapporo Dome

Sapporo City

Kamaishi Recovery Memorial Stadium (tentative name)

Kamaishi City, Iwate Prefecture*

Kumagaya Rugby Stadium, Kumagaya City

Saitama Prefecture

Tokyo Stadium

Chofu, Tokyo

International Stadium Yokohama, Yokohama City

Kanagawa Prefecture

Ogasayama Sports Park Ecopa Stadium

Shizuoka Prefecture

Toyota Stadium

Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture*

Hanazono Rugby Stadium

Higashi Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture*

Kobe Misaki Park Stadium

Kobe City

formerly Hakatanomori Football Stadium

Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture*

Kumamoto Prefectural Athletic Stadium “Umakana Yokana Stadium”

Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture*

Oita Bank Dome

Oita Prefecture

-*venue will be co-hosted
-The opening ceremony and opening match will be held at the Tokyo Stadium. The final match will be held at the International Stadium Yokohama in Kanagawa.

Basic policy on advancing preparation and management of the 2019 Rugby World Cup

Arrangement among relevant agencies

1. Forward

The Rugby World Cup is one of the three major international sporting events among the Olympics, Paralympics and World Cup Soccer watched by millions around the world. The 2015 RWC staged by England drew 2.47 million visitors and spectators, which is a testament to its major socio-economic impact.

The 2019 RWC to be hosted by the Japan will be the first time for the RWC to be held in Asia and hosted by a nation other than traditional rugby powers. It is also a golden opportunity to help disseminate the appeal of rugby in Asia and other countries where rugby is still unpopular, and promote peace and socio-economic development through sport.

The 2019 RWC is also a chance to further advance the increasing popularity of rugby in Japan sparked by the outstanding performance of the Japanese rugby team at the 2015 RWC.

The 2019 RWC will also help boost Japan’s socio-economic development during and after the games through the creation of tangible and intangible legacies. The tournament is anticipated to revitalize regional economies, disseminate the allure of Japanese culture by utilizing cultural programs, advance reconstruction after the March 11 Great East Japan earthquake, and promote educational activities, tourism and international exchange. The RWC will help elevate the significance of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, further advance the Olympic and Paralympic movement, boost foreigners’ interest to visit Japan, and revitalize the nation’s society and economy.

Hosting the 2019 RWC will also be a chance for Japan to familiarize the world with its characteristic rugby culture of “One for all, All for One” and “No Side”, a concept that will not only promote rugby, but will also help advance global peace and development.

Moreover, the 2019 RWC will also help revitalize the domestic economy by promoting partnerships between businesses, advance reconstruction from disasters and promote regional revitalization. The promotion of rugby through international initiatives such as “Sport for Tomorrow”, and “Sport for Peace and Development” is anticipated to create a ripple effect on neighboring countries and regions, greatly contributing to the socio-economic development of Japan and the international community.

Formulation of basic policy

Towards making the 2019 RWC a success, and to accelerate measures related to the event, the basic policy, basic approach and policy direction are defined to comprehensively and intensively promote policies for the smooth preparation and management of the tournament.

The Government of Japan will work to plan and implement relevant policies based on the following approach:

(1) Create legacies for future generations
While it is a matter of course to strive to make the 2019 RWC a success, the Japan Rugby Football Association must play a central role to create invaluable tangible and intangible legacies in Japan and overseas for future generations.

(2) Enhance system for receiving visitors corresponding to their characteristics
The 2011 RWC hosted by New Zealand drew 133,000 visitors from overseas staying an average of 23 nights. For the 2015 RWC, England prepared in advance to receive more than 400,000 visitors from overseas. Japan’s current system of receiving foreigners must be upgraded since the 2019 RWC is anticipated to attract visitors from traditional rugby powers (England, Ireland, France, Italy, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand) with a comparatively low number of tourists today.

(3) Advancing unified government measures upon close coordination among relevant ministries
Collaboration among relevant organizations is crucial for the tournament’s success. These include: the Government of Japan, the Japan Rugby Football Association, the Japan Rugby Top League, the 2019 Rugby World Cup Organizing Committee, host cities, local authorities and the business community. The RWC Organizing Committee is responsible in the planning, management and implementation of the tournament. The host cities will completely back up the organizing committee, while collaborating with the government to advance necessary preparations, establish a system to receive foreigners, and advance social movements towards the tournament. The government will work to realize the smooth preparation and management of the tournament, collaborating with relevant agencies to securely implement policies assigned to each agency. The government will closely collaborate with the RWC Organizing Committee and local authorities to implement all necessary measures. Moreover, the government will advance measures related to the effects from the alterations in the construction plans of the new National Stadium in Tokyo, along with changes made to the venues for the opening match in Tokyo Stadium and the closing match in the International Stadium in Yokohama. In addition, due to the many common policies between the 2019 RWC and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, the government will also advance collaborating with these relevant agencies.

(4) Securing clear governance / implementation of efficient and effective policies
The government will advance smooth collaborations between relevant agencies to secure clear governance. It will also work to implement relevant policies effectively and efficiently by checking the progress and effects of the operations. The government will also do its best to curtail costs when implementing relevant policies.

3. Smooth preparation and management of the competition

(Joint preparations for the 2019 RWC and 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games)
In the preparation and management of the 2019 RWC, the JSA will collaborate to prepare common policies with the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics. In the meanwhile, the RWC will require special preparation and management, as the venues will be held across 12 cities nationwide over an extended period of time.

(1) Smooth preparation and management of the 2019 RWC, Common items between the 2019 RWC and the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games

(Common items between the 2019 RWC and the 2020 Olympics and Paralympics)
Based on the “Basic policy to advance measures related to the preparation and management of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympic Games” (decided by the Cabinet on November 27, 2015) and the “Act on Special Measures for the 2019 Rugby World Cup” (Law No. 34, 2015) which is a large-scale competition of national importance, the government will work to provide the necessary support to implement common policies with the 2020 Tokyo Games such as ensuring safety and security, and advancing measures to receive foreigners.

(Common Policy Items)
((1)) Ensuring tight security and safety
Various measures will be implemented to ensure safety and security so that all spectators and Japanese citizens can enjoy watching the tournament.
(*Issues to be addressed: counter-terrorism measures, prevention and mitigation of disasters)

((2)) Smooth transportation of relevant parties and spectators
The following measures will be advanced to enable the smooth transportation of athletes, staff members, spectators, cargo and so on.
(*Issues to be addressed: enhancing airport services, improving user-friendly public transport by promoting barrier free design, improving roads and transportation infrastructure)

((3)) Receiving foreigners
Information on the allure of Japan must be actively disseminated to attract visitors to regional areas. The following measures to receive foreigners will be advanced to widely disseminate the effects of the competition not only to local authorities hosting the venues and camp sites, but to other cities as well.
(Issues to be addressed: strengthen measures to accept foreigners such as CIQ (Customs/Immigration/Quarantine) system, strengthen multilingual correspondence, enhance ICT infrastructure of society on the whole by increasing free wifi hotspots, disseminate the allure of Japanese culture by utilizing culture programs, advance measures to secure enough accommodations, advance measures to invite foreign tourists to regional areas, improve waterfronts, enhance medical facilities’ correspondence to foreign patients, advance measure to correspond to foreign visitors involved in emergency and disaster situations, or accidents).

((4)) Promoting reconstruction from disasters and regional revitalization
The JSA will collaborate with disaster-hit areas to boost reconstruction efforts carried out after the Great East Japan earthquake, and promote disseminating information on areas advancing reconstruction. The JSA will promote efforts to advance participation by various entities in projects and events related to the tournament which will lead to the expansion of business opportunities across Japan and revitalizing communities.
(Issues to be addressed: promote collaborations with disaster-hit areas from the Great East Japan earthquake, advance regional exchanges and revitalization through collaborations related to the competition; promote participation and collaboration among diverse entities in RWC related projects and events, disseminate the allure of Japanese culture by utilizing cultural programs, promote the mutual exchange of people/money/culture among participating countries

((5)) Consideration for environment
Advance measures to realize a sustainable tournament by reducing the environmental impact such as reducing carbon dioxide emissions and promoting the 3R Initiative of “Reduce, Reuse and Recycle”.
(Issues to be addressed: supporting environmental measures linked to the tournament).

((6)) Barrier free measures
The JSA will promote measures to improve people’s health through sport and exercise, increase opportunities for people with disabilities and the elderly by: advancing the construction of universally-designed public facilities so that all people can move around safely and comfortably; promote efforts to realize an inclusive society by advancing the concept of a “barrier-free mind”, or understanding towards disabled people.
(Issues to be addressed: build universally designed sport facilities and public facilities, promote understanding of people with disabilities by arranging hands-on experiences)

((7)) Realizing a Sports Nation defined under the Basic Act on Sport
Hosting the 2019 RWC is a golden opportunity for Japan to realize the goals set forth in the Basic Act on Sport (enacted in 2011) which is “to create a society where all people can live a happy and fulfilled life through sport”. The JSA will promote the following measures to realize a Sports Nation. Through the Sport for Tomorrow project, the JSA will also promote cooperation and collaboration with other countries in the field of sport.
(Issues to be addressed: enhance competitiveness, foster trainers, advance anti-doping measures, promote sport in regional communities, establish an environment to secure opportunities for people to play various sports throughout their lives, promote development and collaboration among sports-related industries, promote scientific research related to sport, promote international exchange and cooperation, promote sport for people with disabilities).

((8)) Enhancing measures to improve health, preventing passive smoking during the tournament
The JSA will support local governments to advance measures to improve people’s health and extend their life span. The JSA will also strengthen measures to prevent passive smoking in venues and public spaces.

((9)) Others
Aside from ((1))~((8)), the JSA will also promote the following measures for the preparation and management of the tournament:
(Issues to be addressed: issuing co-sponsor lottery tickets and commemorative charitable stamps, promote cooperation by relevant organizations upon managing ceremonies related to the tournament, implement special tax measures, secure good wifi environment).

Matters of particular importance for the 2019 RWC

Upon advancing measures for the preparation and management of the 2019 RWC, aside from joint policies with the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the following measures require particular attention for the 2019 RWC.

((1)) Strengthening Japan’s competitiveness for the 2019 RWC
The JSA will promote measures to strategically strengthen Japanese athletes so they will give their best performance and results.
(issues to be addressed: promote measures to strategically strengthen athletes by fostering and supporting top athletes and next-generation athletes, cultivate human resources who will globally active such as tournament officials, build a specialized and advanced support system to assist athletes in a variety of areas including sport medicine, sport science and IT).

((2)) Promoting anti-doping activities towards the 2019 RWC
The JSA will thoroughly advance measures to eliminate doping violations to secure the integrity of the tournament. The Japan Anti-Doping Association (JADA), the World Anti Doping Association (WADA), and World Rugby (WR) will collaborate to establish and implement a firm inspection system including corresponding to intelligence. Doping controls will be smoothly implemented at the 12 venues nationwide. Measures will also be advanced to secure the necessary facilities to conduct doping inspections at all venues, team hotels, in addition to implementing education and personnel training and establishing a personnel system.
(issues to be addressed: support the establishment of facilities for doping control, train athletes on anti-doping, secure and train doping inspectors, secure and train volunteers, strengthen inspection system including facilities for an intelligence system, strengthen international anti-doping promotion system).

((3)) Spreading the movement for the 2019 RWC in Japan and overseas, sparking movement by volunteers
Towards expanding the rugby population in Japan and overseas, the JSA will advance measures to promote rugby such as: introducing tag rugby in school physical education and in local community sports; promoting relevant projects through the Sport for Tomorrow program such as the dispatch of coaches to countries where rugby is underdeveloped. The JSA will also work to spread a nationwide movement to promote contributions to support various volunteer activities related to the tournament.
(issues to be addressed: dissemination of rugby-related activities such as introducing tag rugby and street rugby in school physical education classes and community sports events, advance efforts to spread interest in rugby, advance Sport for Tomorrow program, hosting the World Forum and Sport and Culture, advance collaborations with JICS volunteer projects, promote Asia Scrum Project sponsored y the Japan Rugby Football Association)

((4))Providing support for the preparation of venues and fan zones in host cities and local government camp sites
While each municipality is generally responsible for the expenses related to maintaining venues and camp sites, the government will provide necessary support within possible limits.
(issues to be addressed: provide diverse support to maintain and build relevant facilities at the 12 venues and camp sites nationwide in line with international standards)

((5)) Strengthening the structure of the 2019 Rugby World Cup Organization Committee and the Japan Rugby Football Association
Promote measures to strengthen the structure of the 2019 Rugby World Cup Organizing Committee and the Japan Rugby Football Association.

((6)) Arranging liaison conferences among relevant agencies involved in the 2019 RWC
Promote measures to deepen collaboration among relevant agencies by holding liaison conferences among the relevant agencies to discuss collaboration and assistance measures towards preparation and management of the 2019 RWC.

Outline of basic policy on advancing preparation and management of the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

*The standing of the Basic policy for the 2019 RWC differs from the Basic policy for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics. The RWC is positioned as an “arrangement between relevant agencies”.

1. Forward

○ The 2019 RWC to be hosted by Japan is the first tournament ever to be held in Asia and in a country other than a traditional rugby power. The 2019 RWC is a golden opportunity to spread rugby in nations and regions where the sport is still underdeveloped, and to contribute to promoting peace and socio-economic development.

○The 2019 RWC will also contribute to advancing the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympic movement in Japan, lead to an increase in the number of foreigners visiting Japan, and contribute to socio-economic revitalization.

○The 2019 RWC is an opportunity to globally disseminate Japan’s characteristic rugby culture of “”One for all, All for one” and “No side” which will also contribute to world peace and development.

○In terms of the domestic economy, the 2019 RWC is anticipated to accelerate economic revitalization by promoting integration among businesses, and contribute to regional revitalization. The dissemination of rugby will also contribute the international community, and be very effective in promoting socio-economic development in Japan and overseas.

2. Basic concept

((1)) Create legacies for future generations
((2)) Enhance system to receive foreigners corresponding to the characteristics of the visitors to Japan
((3)) Promote measures under a unified government, and advancing close collaboration among relevant agencies
((4)) Secure clear governance, efficient and effective implementation of policies

3.Towards the smooth preparation and management of the 2019RWC

(1) Common items with the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics-Extract common items found from the Basic policies of the Olympics and Paralympics (Cabinet Decision on November 27, 2015)
(2) Items in need of particular attention for the 2019RWC
((1)) Advance measures to strategically strengthen athletes’ so Japanese athletes will achieve their best performance and results
((2)) Establish and implement a rigid inspection system to eliminate doping violations to secure the integrity of the tournament
((3)) Advance measures to create a RWC movement in Japan and overseas
((4)) Provide necessary assistance to RWC host sites within possible limits
((5))Enhance support to strengthen structure of the RWC Organizing Committee and the Japan Rugby Football Association
((6)) Arrange meetings among relevant agencies to discuss collaboration and assistance measures

-- Registration: October 2015 --