The JRFU decided to become a candidate to host the RWC in order to achieve the vision described above. Some said it would be too early for Japan to host the RWC when compared to the Japan national team's current strength. Having unwavering resolve, however, the JRFU indicated their intention to bid to host the RWC not because their national team is strong, but in order to be strong and to promote rugby globalization.
On 10 September 2004, the senior director, Noboru Mashimo, visited the IRB headquarters located in Dublin, Ireland, to declare the JRFU's will to bid to host the RWC. September 30 was the deadline. On October 4, Chairman Machii passed away suddenly, so that I had to serve as the chairman. The 2011 RWC Japan Bidding Committee was launched on October 18. In this committee, Yoshiro Mori (former Prime Minister, lower house member, and a Waseda rugby Old Boy) served as the chairman, Hiroshi Hibino served as the committee president, and Senior Director Noboru Mashimo served as the vice committee president.
On 9 June 2005, Yoshiro Mori was recommended as the new chairman for the JRFU. Hiroshi Hibino continued to serve as the bidding committee president until the host nation for the RWC was determined. At the midnight on November 17, the committee members received a sad phone call saying that New Zealand was selected as the host nation for the 2011 RWC. South Africa was washed out by the first vote for the three candidates, New Zealand, South Africa, and Japan. During the final vote, Japan was eliminated.
Probably, it was because Japanese government could not guarantee compensation for financial losses and there was concern that Japan had inadequate power to draw spectators.
On 10 September 2004, the senior director, Noboru Mashimo, visited the IRB headquarters located in Dublin, Ireland, to declare the JRFU's will to bid to host the RWC. September 30 was the deadline. On October 4, Chairman Machii passed away suddenly, so that I had to serve as the chairman. The 2011 RWC Japan Bidding Committee was launched on October 18. In this committee, Yoshiro Mori (former Prime Minister, lower house member, and a Waseda rugby Old Boy) served as the chairman, Hiroshi Hibino served as the committee president, and Senior Director Noboru Mashimo served as the vice committee president.
On 9 June 2005, Yoshiro Mori was recommended as the new chairman for the JRFU. Hiroshi Hibino continued to serve as the bidding committee president until the host nation for the RWC was determined. At the midnight on November 17, the committee members received a sad phone call saying that New Zealand was selected as the host nation for the 2011 RWC. South Africa was washed out by the first vote for the three candidates, New Zealand, South Africa, and Japan. During the final vote, Japan was eliminated.
Probably, it was because Japanese government could not guarantee compensation for financial losses and there was concern that Japan had inadequate power to draw spectators.