Japan lost to New Zealand the privilege of hosting the 2011 Rugby World Cup. As a result, the Asian nation has announced their interest in hosting the 2015 and 2019 Rugby games. Representatives of the Japan Rugby Football Union has announced late Tuesday – September 30, 2008 – that they have intensions of bidding for the succeeding games. They union has already sent a letter stating so to the International Rugby Board which is based in Dublin.

“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.