The announcement by the International Rugby Board (IRB) that Tokyo's Prince Chichibu Stadium will stage the seventh round was made to coincide with 100 days until the opening event at Australia's Gold Coast on November 25.

It is a major vote of confidence in Japan from the IRB as the country continues to recover from the devastating earthquake and tsunami in March which is estimated that more than 20,000 were killed.

The event, which is due to take place on March 31 and April 1 next year, will also help raise the profile of rugby in the build-up to the 2019 World Cup, which is being staged in Japan, and gives Tokyo the opportunity to showcase its bid to host the 2020 Olympics and Paralympics.

"I am delighted that Tokyo is joining the international roster of tournaments that comprise the record-breaking HSBC Sevens World Series, which last season was watched in 147 countries in 16 languages," said Bernard Lapasset, the chairman of the IRB.

"I am sure that the Japan Rugby Football Union will host a successful and popular event that Japan, Asia and the global rugby family will be proud of.

"These are extremely exciting times for rugby in Asia, where interest in rugby has been boosted by Japan securing hosting rights for Rugby World Cup 2019 and Olympic inclusion.

"The IRB is committed to ensuring all the processes are in place for the continued development of the sport throughout the region so that even more men, women and children can enjoy Rugby.

"We very much look forward to working in partnership with the Japan Rugby Football Union to deliver an event that will benefit Asian rugby and mark another significant milestone as we countdown to sevens' Olympic Games debut in Rio in 2016."


Japan's inclusion signals the first expansion of the World Series since HSBC was appointed title sponsor.

The Tokyo event will take place just a week after the Hong Kong Sevens.

Tokyo will be followed by events at Murrayfield in Edinburgh on May 5-6 and Twickenham in London on May 12-13.

Other venues that will form part of the Series are Port Elizabeth in South Africa, Wellington in New Zealand and Las Vegas in the United States, 

"It is with great pleasure that we welcome the prestigious HSBC Sevens World Series to Japan," said Tatsuzo Yabe, chairman of the Japan Rugby Football Union (JRFU). 

I am sure that the event will be extremely popular, especially at a time when there is unprecedented growth in the Olympic form of the Game.

"We are determined to take this opportunity to demonstrate the appetite for rugby in Japan and give international fans a taste of what to expect at Rugby World Cup 2019.

"We want to deliver an outstanding sevens tournament that Japan and Asia can be proud of.

"To our visitors from overseas, please come and enjoy the tournament and witness Japan's strong unity through these tough times.

"We are truly looking forward to welcoming the international rugby community for the HSBC Sevens World Series."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]