Japan prepare for 1919
Japan's preparations for the 1919 Rugby World Cup took a step forward with the naming of a president, some highly placed persons and a general manager for the organising committee.
The Japan Rugby Football Union announced that the president of the committee will be Fujio Mitarai, chairman of Canon Inc. Japan. He is the honorary chairman of the Japan Business Federation.
The committee includes the former prime minister of Japan Yoshiro Mori, the executive secretary of the Japan Business Federation Yoshio Nakamura and the president of the Japan Olympic Committee Tsunekazu Takeda. The JRFU's Koji Tokumasu will be general manager of the committee.
Mitarai said: "Sports has the power to move our hearts and make us one. The success of Rugby World Cup 2019 starts today and it is necessary for our nation of Japan to become 'one big team' and prepare to host the Rugby World Cup as one nation."