NEWSWORTHY
Organizing committee chief Akira Shimazu hopes World Cup will be catalyst for growth
With half a year to go until the first-ever Rugby World Cup in Asia, organizing committee chief Akira Shimazu insisted that the hosts are focused on making the tournament in Japan a "ground-breaking" event. "The previous tournament in England in 2015, as you know, was ...
Beppu hot springs may accept tattooed visitors during Japan's Rugby World Cup and beyond
Local hot spring operators see the event as an opportunity to appeal to foreign tourists.
World Cup ticket woes frustrate rugby fans
"There are three sides to every story, baby. There's yours, and mine and the cold, hard truth." While Eagles great Don Henley was singing about the "Long Way Home" back in 1982, he could quite as easily have been talking about the ticketing process for ...
After a challenging upbringing, Toyota prop forward Yusuke Yamada seeks to inspire youth
Yusuke Yamada, a 20-year-old prop forward for the Toyota Industries Shuttles, is one of the many rugby players excited about Toyota hosting 2019 Rugby World Cup matches. Yamada, who hopes to one day play for Japan's Brave Blossoms and the Sunwolves, the nation's Super Rugby ...
With its home stadium being prepared for the 2019 Rugby World Cup, FC Tokyo will play two league cup home games this year at Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground, a source said Monday. Due to renovations at Ajinomoto Stadium for the Rugby World Cup, the ...
The sale of Rugby World Cup tickets on a first-come, first-served basis began Saturday, with organizers urging fans to get in quick so as not to miss out. Sales of tickets for all 48 matches began online at 10 a.m. Japan Standard Time and will ...
With the final countdown to this year's Rugby World Cup in Japan well under way, organizers are focusing their efforts on contingency planning in the notoriously earthquake and typhoon-prone country, tournament director Alan Gilpin told AFP. On the pitch, Gilpin predicted the 2019 edition of ...
Rugby World Cup organizers recruit more than 13,000 volunteers
The 2019 Rugby World Cup organizing committee announced Tuesday that it has recruited approximately 13,000 volunteers for the Sept. 20-Nov. 2 tournament, 3,000 more than originally planned. The local organizing committee said it "wants to involve as many people as possible" after receiving more than ...
Japan hooker Shota Horie focused on rehab following foot surgery
Japan hooker Shota Horie said Thursday he underwent surgery on his right foot in November to treat a stress fracture. Horie, who plays for the Top League's Panasonic Wild Knights, is expected to return to the field by this autumn's Rugby World Cup, having been ...
Over half of the total tickets for this year's Rugby World Cup in Japan have been sold, a source said Monday. Over 1 million of a total 1.8 million tickets available for the 48 games over 12 venues have been sold. The local organizing committee ...
Brave Blossoms to face Fiji, Tonga in 2019 Pacific Nations Cup
Japan's preparations for the 2019 Rugby World Cup became a lot clearer Tuesday with the announcement that the Brave Blossoms will play in a revamped Pacific Nations Cup in July and August. Jamie Joseph's side will play two home games — against Fiji in Kamaishi, ...
Volunteers audition for Rugby World Cup roles
Tokyo resident Masaru Seto knows why he wants to become a volunteer at the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan. "I've been a rugby fan for 40 years," the 53-year-old service industry worker told The Japan Times at an interview session for the tournament's "Team ...
