History makers: the origins of Japan’s 150-year love affair with rugby www.theguardian.com

It was the centrepiece of a weekend celebrating 150 years of rugby in Japan, which arrived in the country five years before the creation of the Rugby Football Union.
“I suggested he say Japan wants to host the World Cup.
He said: ‘It’s not impossible’ – and it sort of went from there.”Japan lost out to New Zealand for the right to host the 2011 World Cup.
Facebook Twitter Pinterest The first Japan national rugby team jersey, worn in 1930.
Hence the dinner 150 years later and the urgent call for a guest speaker who could represent the history of rugby in Japan.