Japan Rugby National Team Holds Gratitude Parade 50,000 Enthusiasts Gather in Marunouchi

The Japan national rugby team, which achieved its first-ever quarterfinal appearance at Rugby World Cup 2019 Japan and ignited nationwide enthusiasm, held a parade on December 11th along Marunouchi Naka-dori in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, to express gratitude for the support. The event, titled "Japan National Rugby Team ONE TEAM Parade ~Thank You for All Your BRAVE Support~" (Organizer: Japan Rugby Football Union; Special Sponsors: Taisho Pharmaceutical, Canterbury of New Zealand Japan; Special Cooperation: Mitsubishi Estate), took place.
(Image © Fort Kishimoto)

Prior to the parade, captain Michael Leitch addressed the crowd: "We are deeply grateful for the tremendous support during the World Cup. You delivered Brave (courage) to us at the stadiums, in the streets, and through your TV viewing. We are thrilled that all of Japan became One Team. We will continue striving alongside our fans to make Japanese rugby even stronger."

The parade, which began in the early afternoon, featured 28 national team players. Dressed not in their jerseys but in smart suits, the players divided into five groups and walked the approximately 800-meter stretch of Marunouchi Naka-dori (from Yurakucho Denki Building to Marunouchi Building) over about 40 minutes.
Long before the start, the streets were packed with an estimated 50,000 spectators, leaving no room to stand. The crowd cheered the players enthusiastically in their own ways. While most players smiled and waved, Shiro Tanaka was notably moved to tears from start to finish.

After the parade, the athletes expressed their surprise and gratitude at the massive crowd, saying things like "It feels like a dream." They also asked for continued support to boost Japanese rugby.