Japan will bid to host the Rugby World Cup again in 2035, 16 years after becoming the first Asian country to stage the event.
Japan Rugby Football Union president Masato Tsuchida said an expression of interest had been submitted to the sport’s governing body, World Rugby.
‘Bigger each year’
“The World Cup gets bigger each year and it would need all of Japan to get behind it,” he said on Wednesday.
“I want us to hold the best World Cup ever, for the sports world and for Japan itself.”
Japan staged the tournament in 2019, with the host country reaching the quarter-finals for the first time.
Australia will host the next edition of the tournament in 2027, with the United States staging the event for the first time in 2031.
Japan is likely to face competition to host the 2035 edition from Italy, Spain and the Middle East.
Select preferred host
World Rugby is expected to select a preferred host in May 2027 and make an official decision in November the same year.
“In today’s world, where divisions are often highlighted, we believe Japan’s strength and spirit are important,” said Tsuchida.
Springbok fans will need no reminding that their team triumphed at the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan, beating England 32-12 in the final in Yokohama.
