RWC 2019 set to break new ground as Japan enters first full year as host

Japan's first full year as current Rugby World Cup host continues to gather pace with World Rugby endorsing strong progress following detailed and highly productive Rugby World Cup 2015 debrief meetings in Tokyo this week.

With Japan preparing to host a ground-breaking first Rugby World Cup in Asia, the meetings between senior representatives from World Rugby and the England Rugby 2015 and Japan Rugby 2019 organising committees provided the opportunity to consider key lessons and learnings from a record-breaking Rugby World Cup 2015 in England.

Rugby World Cup Tournament Director, Alan Gilpin said: "The debrief process is a major milestone in the process of knowledge transfer from previous to current host. The week of meetings provided a valuable and highly constructive exercise in illustrating key considerations and learnings from England 2015 as Japan prepares to host Asia's first Rugby World Cup.

"We are excited and pleased by the strong progress being made here in Japan and, in many respects, preparation is more advanced than previous tournaments at the same stage with the tournament venues and dates set, key financial provisions in place and a new dynamic logo and identity launched. This is great credit to the collaborative and proactive approach by the Japan Rugby 2019 organising committee with the full support of national and local government, and the cities and prefectures.

"We have entered an exciting phase of our joint planning. Over the next 12 months we will focus on venue preparation, develop the ticketing strategy, appoint a host broadcast partner and confirm other major broadcast and commercial deals. We need to ensure that the key foundations are in place for a ground-breaking tournament of which Japan, Asia and the global rugby family will be proud."

Japan Rugby 2019 organising committee CEO Akira Shimazu added: "I would like to express my gratitude to our friends from World Rugby and England Rugby 2015 for delivering these important meetings. Their knowledge and experiences in delivering what was a very special Rugby World Cup 2015 in England are invaluable, and will certainly guide our planning and preparation.

"Rugby World Cup 2019 planning is on track and with 12 excellent venues, we will continue to work closely with the host cities and Japanese Government to deliver an exceptional tournament, the first to be hosted in Japan and Asia."

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