From Rugby World Cup to Tokyo Olympic Para 3 November 6:03

Former Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori, who was instrumental in inviting the Rugby World Cup Japan tournament, talks about his expectations for dissemination both domestically and abroad and his management challenges to the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics next year. Did.

Efforts to invite, at the opening ceremony ...

Former Prime Minister Mori serves as chairman of the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Organizing Committee next year.

Since I started playing rugby under the influence of my father, I have been involved in rugby for many years and worked as a president of the Japan Rugby Association to negotiate with international headquarters.

At the opening ceremony of the tournament held on September 20th, I was able to witness the crowded stand and gather the thoughts of many people.

(Mr. Yoshiro Mori) “I started activities for the invitation from 2003 and have always thought that I would like to do the opening ceremony of the wonderful World Cup in Japan and show it to the Japanese. , "I've been able to do so far in Japan," and I started to tear my eyes. "

The tournament is a success

Until now, the World Cup has been held in traditional rugby countries such as the UK and New Zealand.

When conducting the invitation activities, there were many suspicious voices from the relevant parties in these countries, such as "Can Japan win as a host country" or "Can't the audience gather?" say.

However, in this tournament, the Japanese national team won the top eight in Ireland and Scotland and achieved the first best 8 ever.

The tournament tickets were successful, with nearly 1.8 million tickets sold out.

Mr. Mori showed that it was important to continue strengthening the national team in the future, after showing that the strengthening measures were realized after the invitation was decided.

(Mr. Yoshiro Mori) “Thanks to the people who have taken care of rugby for more than 100 years nationwide. Japan has that power and foundation. The era of pulling rugby alone is over, and Japan has a history of more than 100 years, so it should be the same as a traditional country.

Struck the heart of Japan

Mori went to many game venues and watched the game.

I also have a unique view of the reason why the representative from Japan was excited.

(Mr. Yoshiro Mori) “I think that the representative of Japan hit the hearts of many people by working hard and hitting a big body. It ’s hard to say, but Japanese men are more herbivorous. I wonder if I saw a carnivorous boy fighting for the first time in a long time, and it hit the hearts of women all over Japan. "

Dissemination of Japan and Asia is an issue

As a legacy after the tournament, how to maintain interest in the exciting rugby is a major issue.

(Mr. Yoshiro Mori) “It ’s OK for“ Niwaka Fan ”. Today ’s children are longing for“ Kotaro Matsushima ”or“ Kenki Fukuoka ”. It's better if the players are aware of it, and the best thing for the next top league is that the famous overseas players who participated in this tournament will join the Japanese team. Will lead to an overall improvement. ''

On top of that, he also expressed the idea that Japanese rugby is at a major turning point and talked about the role of Japan in Asia and other countries.

(Mr. Yoshiro Mori) “I think we should start thinking about whether corporate sports that depend on companies are good. The Japan Association will tackle the problem of professionalization for the time being, but when rugby should go to such a place. It's also interesting because rugby rolls the ball to the wing and it's interesting.To develop rugby, it is necessary to spread it to Asia, and even to the United States. ''

To the Tokyo Olympics Para

Japan is ahead of next year's Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics. Mori showed his willingness to connect the success of the World Cup to the Tokyo Games.

For example, Japanese style hospitality that respects different cultures, such as supporting national teams by singing national anthems, was transmitted to the world.

(Mr. Yoshiro Mori) “Rugby has changed the feelings of many Japanese citizens, and foreign people have changed their eyes on Japan. I think that has had an effect. In Rugby, a diverse group of people forms a good scrum. I'm impressed, and I think the Olympics and Paralympics will be the same. I think sports will change and strengthen people and the world. "

On the other hand, the problem of running a large-scale international tournament that criticism erupts due to lack of food to be sold at the game venue has also been revealed. I showed that it was necessary to respond flexibly to these points.

(Mr. Yoshiro Mori) “IOC = This is an issue that the International Olympic Committee has to think about. Even though we have paid for a big sponsor, there are times when we need to loosen a little more freely.”

Now is the kick-off

Finally, Mr. Mori renewed his thoughts on rugby. There was a lot of love for rugby and determination to be a real game.

(Mr. Yoshiro Mori) “I'm just going to do what I can do for rugby.” My father was a pre-war lagerman, and when I went to war, I said “Learn this in the future” and played rugby ball. I don't know when my life will be lost, but I will do my best to make sure that my teacher and father would be happy. Now it ’s kick-off, but that ’s not what I do. It ’s important to be firmly supported by the new Japan Society and new fans. ”