The Rugby World Cup has lit up Japan

Inspiring, captivating, pulling in new fans, sparking a passion that previously wasn’t there, expanding the sport beyond its traditional homelands – this can be the legacy of Japan 2019

Russia (red) lost to Samoa by 9-34 in the competition (Reuters)

The Rugby World Cup is only five days old but, for those caught up in its restless, neon-tinged flow, it already feels one of a kind.

Making its debut in Asia, the tournament has captured people’s imagination here in Japan. The locals have turned out in their thousands to embrace a sport which, according to a recent white paper, has only 100,000 registered rugby players in the country. For some comparison, volleyball has four times that number, football 10. In terms of attendance, the average rugby match in the domestic league draws crowds of around 5,000.

Understandably, some have called the decision to bring the World Cup to these parts a gamble – one that, once the competition draws to a close and the pennies are counted, will backfire in the face of those faceless white collars focused on widening the financial net.

But look past such cynicism and a greater goal can be discerned. Inspiring, captivating, pulling in new fans, sparking a passion that previously wasn’t there, expanding the sport beyond its traditional homelands – this can be the legacy of Japan 2019.

So far, the local fans have proved themselves to be as receptive and embracing as they come. Opposition shirts have been thrown on, selfies with rival fans taken, glasses of sake shared in the hot and sweaty izakayas that line the backstreets of Tokyo, Yokohama, Osaka, Toyota and beyond.

In one instance, a group of Japanese supporters could be heard singing the Irish national anthem – with a helping hand from Google translate – before casually switching to the Flower of Scotland. For those of us more accustomed to the hostilities written into English sport’s DNA, it was an utterly bizarre, but refreshing, sight. In all, it’s made for an immersive, kaleidoscopic atmosphere that has been a joy to experience.

It’s early days, of course, but there’s no doubt things will heat up as the tournament rolls into the brutalities of knock-out rugby. When the vast majority of fans head home and the spotlight narrows on to a handful of teams, the dynamics will change. The pleasantries of the group stages will fade. Animosities may arise. Winning is all that will matter. When that happens, hopefully it’s the voice of the locals that continues to shout the loudest.

Yours,

Samuel Lovett

Sports reporter