Golden Sports Years [4]The World Cup as a social significance envisioned by Kamaishi
Kimura Hisashi
We want to make the stadium a place that connects people.
Kamaishi's Vision for the Rugby World Cup as a Symbol of Social Significance
Among the 12 host cities, Kamaishi City in Iwate Prefecture has advanced its preparations as a symbol of recovery from the Great East Japan Earthquake. We spoke with Hisashi Kimura, Director of the Iwate Rugby World Cup 2019 Promotion Office, about the progress and expectations.
Voluntary efforts by local high school students
Kamaishi Unosumi Recovery Stadium was newly built on the site of elementary and junior high schools destroyed by the disaster. While there were various debates about hosting the Rugby World Cup during recovery due to the extensive damage, we hope this event will boost recovery and serve as a place to express gratitude to the world.
What's heartening is seeing young people already engaging in voluntary activities. Rui Doguchi (a third-year student at Kamaishi High School), who made the "Stadium Kickoff Declaration" at last year's inaugural event, launched the "Kamaishi 7.27 High School Student Appreciation Project" with her peers during the Japan vs. Fiji match held in Kamaishi on July 27th this year. They shared video messages from high school students on social media and also published a video on YouTube introducing how to access the stadium.
Furthermore, considering return traffic congestion on World Cup match days in Kamaishi, high schools in Kamaishi City and Ōtsuchi Town will be closed. While these students cannot serve as official volunteers, I understand hundreds plan to assist with guiding fans and providing interpretation from Kamaishi Station to the city's fan zone. Additionally, to express gratitude for reconstruction support, elementary and junior high school students from Kamaishi City and coastal area sixth graders will be invited to the tournament.
"I want to visit Kamaishi someday"
A guidebook filled with heartfelt wishes
Furthermore, we will advance international exchange programs for children at the stadium. Last year, we invited high school students from New Zealand to engage in exchanges with local high school students through rugby and to learn together about disaster prevention education. We plan to hold another event this September and intend to continue this program going forward.
Mr. Horaguchi described this stadium as "a place where people separated by the disaster can gather." I hope the World Cup and the stadium will connect people, becoming a place where people draw people.
Similarly, increasing the number of visitors is also important. For this tournament, we created a "Rugby Support Guidebook." Each booklet is split evenly between Japanese and English versions. We initially produced 30,000 copies and later reprinted 70,000 more. These will be distributed nationwide. The booklet includes tournament information and Kamaishi's attractions, along with recommended spots in Iwate Prefecture and Tohoku. This is because we want this major event to benefit not just Kamaishi, but Iwate Prefecture and Tohoku as well. Competitions for the Tokyo 2020 Games will also be held in Tohoku. Even if people can't come this time, we want people around the world to think, "I definitely want to visit Kamaishi and Tohoku at least once in my lifetime."
In Kamaishi City, home to 33,000 residents
A catalyst for boosting visitor numbers
Approximately 13,000 people attended the July 27th international match. The impact of this many visitors coming to a city of 33,000 residents is significant, and shops throughout the town are advancing their preparations for inbound tourism.
Furthermore, those developing products featuring Kamaishi's specialty "Koshigaki persimmons" are enthusiastic, stating, "We want to use the World Cup as a showcase to sell them globally."
How much exchange population can Kamaishi, with its 33,000 residents, generate? We want to use the World Cup as a catalyst for exchange and leverage the newly built stadium as a major spark. Hosting the tournament in Kamaishi holds not only the significance of staging a global sporting event but also the social importance of being a symbol of recovery. We will approach the tournament with a deep sense of this mission.
Rugby World Cup 2019 is about to kick off! Mini Info
The tournament runs from September 20 to November 2. Fierce battles between 20 teams from around the world will unfold across 12 host cities, stretching from Hokkaido in the north to Kyushu in the south. The opening match between Japan and Russia kicks off at Tokyo Stadium, with the final taking place at Yokohama International Stadium. This is also the first Rugby World Cup ever held in Asia, drawing significant attention.
Match Schedule for 12 Host Cities
Sapporo Dome, Sapporo: September 21 & 22
Kamaishi Usumi Recovery Stadium, Kamaishi, Iwate : September 25, October 13
Kumagaya Rugby Field, Kumagaya City, Saitama Prefecture: September 24 & 29, October 9
Tokyo Stadium, Tokyo: September 20, 21 & 29, October 5, 6, 19 & 20, November 1
Kanagawa Prefecture, Yokohama City: Yokohama International Stadium: September 21, 22; October 12, 13, 26, 27; November 2
Shizuoka Prefecture: Ogisayama Sports Park Ecopa Stadium: September 28; October 4, 9, 11
Toyota Stadium, Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture: September 23, 28, October 5, 12
Higashiosaka Hanazono Rugby Field, Higashiosaka City, Osaka Prefecture: September 22, 28, October 3, 13
Kobe City Misaki Park Ball Field, Kobe City: September 26, 30, October 3, 8
Fukuoka Prefecture, Fukuoka City: Higashi-Hirao Park Hakata no Mori Ball Field: September 26, October 2 & 12
Kumamoto Prefecture, Kumamoto City: Kumamoto Prefectural Sports Park Athletics Stadium: October 6 & 13
Oita Prefecture: Oita Sports Park General Stadium: October 2, 5, 9, 19 & 20
For detailed match schedules, click here.
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Kimura Hisashi
Joined the Iwate Prefectural Government in 1986. Handled areas including agricultural policy, welfare, commerce and industry, ports, airports, and high school education. Served as Director of the Iwate Prefecture Rugby World Cup 2019 Promotion Division in 2017. Assumed current position in April 2018.