Japan stated in its bid that it is about time that the International Rugby Board (IRB) would consider picking a country that is new and beyond the usual areas where rugby has become more established.

Reports revealed that Japan will be competing against South Africa, England and Italy for the right to host the 2015 event. The board will decide the host countries for both 2015 and 2019 Rugby World Cups this coming July in Dublin, Ireland.

Japanese Rugby Football Union chairman Nobby Mashimo said that it will be a great move to choose an Asian country this time as sixty percent of the world’s population resides in the continent. This will certainly boost the popularity of rugby in this side of the world.

Asia has launched last year a Five National rugby tournament attended by Hong Kong, Kazakhstan, South Korea, Arabian Gulf and Japan, who became the inaugural champions and successfully defended the title last weekend.

“We are bidding to host the Rugby World Cup not just for Japan but for Asia,” said Knobby Massimo of the Japan Rugby Union. “Bringing the Rugby World Cup to Japan and Asia will unlock the potential of rugby as a truly global sport.”

Other countries in the running for hosting the 2015 and 2019 games include Wales, Ireland, Scotland, Australia and South Africa. The International Rugby Union is still accepting hosting bids. Both the 2015 and 2019 hosting privileges will be award at the same time. The IRB says that this move will ensure better planning and certainty for the game hosts and their commercial partners.

Hosting the World Rugby Cup is not only a matter of pride. It also boosts the country’s economy. Last years host games held in France saw a profit of $214 Million USD or 120 Million Pounds.