Rugby is Breaking New Ground in Japan and Opening Business Opportunities for Foreign Companies
Murray Barnett, World Rugby’s Head of Commercial, Marketing and Broadcast spoke at a joint British and Australia New Zealand Chamber of Commerce in Japan event in Tokyo.
Rugby has seen a spike in interest in Japan due to the amazing performance shown by Japan’s national rugby team in England during Rugby World Cup 2015.
With the Rugby World Cup set to take place in Japan in 2019, he covered such topics as the commercial success of Rugby World Cup 2015, what bringing the Rugby World Cup to Japan could mean for the sport, the growth of the game in the world today, and what lies ahead in the future.
History and Role of World Rugby
World Rugby was founded in 1886, and the Rugby World Cup, which it organises, is a private event not funded by either the Government or the taxpayer. Barnett believes that rugby is differentiated from other sports such as soccer due to the emphasis on its fore values, which include solidarity, passion, integrity, respect, and discipline.
Respect is one of the most respected values in Japan, and Barnett believes this will appeal to Japanese fans.
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Article by Vanessa Holden, June 2016.
