In 1974, the chairman of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Lord Killanin, removed the term “amateur” from the Olympic Charter. This brought an end to the professional-amateur problem which had concerned the sports industry. While being influenced by this problem, the IRB continued to hold and sponsor the RWC. However, the IRB board meeting held in Tokyo from 25 to 30 September 1996 finally decided to remove the provisions related to amateur players and teams. The term “amateur” was also removed from all the portions of the rugby rule book.
The JRFU approved of opening the sport to amateurs and professionals at the board meeting held on 24 December 2000. At the meeting of the board of trustees on 24 June 2001, Chairman Shigeru Konno resigned, and Tetsuo Machii assumed the chairman's post renewing the board members. Hiroaki Shukuzawa, the head of the reinforcement committee, wrote an essay entitled “The Japan National Team is now opened to professionals” on “JRFU Journal”, which is summarized as follows:
“The Japan National Rugby Union Team is the largest asset of Japanese rugby. Our mission is to make Japanese rugby appealing and attractive based on the Japan National Rugby Union Team. Our concept and vision is to restructure the Japan National Rugby Union Team while focusing on Japan's unique sports form, called company sport. We will prepare a sport environment where the Japan national players can concentrate on their play and can consolidate their motivation to play representing Japan. Our aim is to play in the Rugby World Cup consecutively and advance to the final round at the 2007 RWC. We will also continue to promote this attractive sport, expanding its base.
Our specific measures include the following things: To hire full-time members for the head coach and other staff for the Japan National Rugby Union Team, to make the Japan National Rugby Union Team players belong exclusively to the JRFU, and to introduce a performance-based payment (incentive) system into the Japan National Rugby Union Team matches”.
The JRFU approved of opening the sport to amateurs and professionals at the board meeting held on 24 December 2000. At the meeting of the board of trustees on 24 June 2001, Chairman Shigeru Konno resigned, and Tetsuo Machii assumed the chairman's post renewing the board members. Hiroaki Shukuzawa, the head of the reinforcement committee, wrote an essay entitled “The Japan National Team is now opened to professionals” on “JRFU Journal”, which is summarized as follows:
“The Japan National Rugby Union Team is the largest asset of Japanese rugby. Our mission is to make Japanese rugby appealing and attractive based on the Japan National Rugby Union Team. Our concept and vision is to restructure the Japan National Rugby Union Team while focusing on Japan's unique sports form, called company sport. We will prepare a sport environment where the Japan national players can concentrate on their play and can consolidate their motivation to play representing Japan. Our aim is to play in the Rugby World Cup consecutively and advance to the final round at the 2007 RWC. We will also continue to promote this attractive sport, expanding its base.
Our specific measures include the following things: To hire full-time members for the head coach and other staff for the Japan National Rugby Union Team, to make the Japan National Rugby Union Team players belong exclusively to the JRFU, and to introduce a performance-based payment (incentive) system into the Japan National Rugby Union Team matches”.