On 19 March 1977, the 50th anniversary of the JRFU's foundation was celebrated at Tokyo's National Stadium. Many participants, 220 including those involved with rugby and the union's directors, attended this ceremony. There Chairman Tokishiro Shiina gave a welcoming speech, followed by the congratulatory speech given by Princess Chichibu. Then Prime Minister Toshiki Kaifu delivered a message (read by Yasujiro Matsuura, the assistance secretary of athletics of the Ministry of Education, Science, Sports and Culture), Chairman Kenzo Kono of Japan Sports Association gave a speech, and Chairman Richard E Jeeps from the RFU gave the following speech:
“During the next 50 years, as the JRFU's directors make further efforts by constructing more stadiums and forming more rugby teams, I'm sure Japan will become one of the world's top rugby team.” (Source: “JRFU Journal”)
There are now less than 20 years to go before the next 50 years. We must achieve successful results by assisting the reinforcement of the Japan National Rugby Union Team left to Sir John Kirwan and the reinforcement staff members.
During the ceremony, all in attendance observed a moment of silence for many forerunners who made significant contributions to the promotion and development of the JRFU. From Chairman Shiina, letters of gratitude along with commemorative gifts were given to the following individuals and groups listed below:
Late Ginnosuke Tanaka, late Yoshihiro Takagi, late Kumazo Tanabe, late Jusaburo Hashimoto, late Teiichi Sugimoto, late Takenosuke Okumura, late Naohiko Kawazu, late Ban Kayama, late Masao Yugawa, late Yukichi Sugihara, late Atsushi Mera, late Yasujiro Kasai, late Kaoru Waki, Michio Yokoyama, Tsunekazu Nanba, Tsunazo Nishino, Saburo Kiyose, and Eiichi Iwa.
Mainichi Shimbun, Asahi Shimbun, NHK, Kinki Nippon Railway, Tokyo's National Stadium, and the headquarters of Tenrikyo.
After the ceremony, a memorial match was held at 2:30 PM between the Oxford rugby team that came to Japan and Nippon Steel Kamaishi Works. Oxford won this match 22-16. The chief referee of this match, Tetsuo Machii, passed away in 2003 after falling ill while assuming the position of the 11th chairman of the JRFU.
“During the next 50 years, as the JRFU's directors make further efforts by constructing more stadiums and forming more rugby teams, I'm sure Japan will become one of the world's top rugby team.” (Source: “JRFU Journal”)
There are now less than 20 years to go before the next 50 years. We must achieve successful results by assisting the reinforcement of the Japan National Rugby Union Team left to Sir John Kirwan and the reinforcement staff members.
During the ceremony, all in attendance observed a moment of silence for many forerunners who made significant contributions to the promotion and development of the JRFU. From Chairman Shiina, letters of gratitude along with commemorative gifts were given to the following individuals and groups listed below:
Late Ginnosuke Tanaka, late Yoshihiro Takagi, late Kumazo Tanabe, late Jusaburo Hashimoto, late Teiichi Sugimoto, late Takenosuke Okumura, late Naohiko Kawazu, late Ban Kayama, late Masao Yugawa, late Yukichi Sugihara, late Atsushi Mera, late Yasujiro Kasai, late Kaoru Waki, Michio Yokoyama, Tsunekazu Nanba, Tsunazo Nishino, Saburo Kiyose, and Eiichi Iwa.
Mainichi Shimbun, Asahi Shimbun, NHK, Kinki Nippon Railway, Tokyo's National Stadium, and the headquarters of Tenrikyo.
After the ceremony, a memorial match was held at 2:30 PM between the Oxford rugby team that came to Japan and Nippon Steel Kamaishi Works. Oxford won this match 22-16. The chief referee of this match, Tetsuo Machii, passed away in 2003 after falling ill while assuming the position of the 11th chairman of the JRFU.