JAPAN BASE: New World Rugby-Certified Artificial Turf Ground Opens with Ceremony & Rugby Clinic | Japan Rugby Football Association

Fukuoka, Japan – On Wednesday, April 1, JAPAN BASE officially opened its new artificial turf field with an opening ceremony and rugby clinic, marking a significant step forward for rugby development in Japan. The new facility, the second in Japan to receive World Rugby certification, is poised to grow a crucial hub for both the national team and the next generation of Japanese rugby players.

The ceremony commenced with remarks from Takashi Yamagami, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Japan Rugby Football Association, representing the organization. Yamagami expressed his pride in unveiling the long-awaited pitch, stating, “We are incredibly happy and proud to be able to present this artificial turf ground to everyone today. This ground is the second in Japan to receive World Rugby certification, and we believe this environment, which can maintain stable conditions throughout the year, will play a vital role not only in strengthening the national team but too in fostering the development of the next generation of players.”

Yamagami emphasized that JAPAN BASE is envisioned as more than just a training ground for rugby. “We are not simply positioning JAPAN BASE as a place for rugby development,” he said. “We aim to promote a variety of sports and create a space that can be utilized not only by rugby players but also by athletes from various disciplines. We also envision it as a place for interaction among citizens, and we want to nurture and grow this facility together with the people of Fukuoka and the surrounding areas, creating a community where everyone can enjoy sports and smiles.”

Following Yamagami’s address, congratulatory messages were delivered by Hideo Imamayashi, Vice President of the Fukuoka Rugby Football Association, and Takayuki Kumimoto, President of the Kyushu Rugby Football Association.

Imamayashi stated, “I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Japan Association and everyone involved for creating such a wonderful ground. As Fukuoka City, we also wished for it to be open to the public, and we are delighted that the people of the region can enjoy JAPAN BASE together. We hope that the existence of JAPAN BASE will further invigorate rugby in Fukuoka Prefecture, the ‘Kingdom of Rugby.’”

Kumimoto added, “We have had various discussions with the prefectural and city officials about how to utilize this ground, and I am deeply moved that this wonderful artificial turf ground, which has also been certified by World Rugby, has been completed. I would like to express my gratitude once again to everyone involved.”

The first kick on the new surface was executed by Shoichiro Tsuoka, a Fukuoka native who currently plays for the Japan Sevens team. Having known the site during its previous iteration as the Sawaraka Sports Park, Tsuoka successfully completed the ceremonial kick, marking a vibrant start for the upgraded facility.

Tsuoka shared his enthusiasm, saying, “It’s a fantastic ground – it feels great to run on, and I feel it will help prevent injuries. I’ve played on artificial turf pitches in overseas tournaments, and this is a great opportunity to practice in conditions similar to those we’ll face in competition. This place has always been a dream for me, a place where I’ve grown as a player, and I hope it continues to support the development of young players who aspire to compete on the world stage.”

Following the ceremony, a rugby clinic was held, led by players from the Japan Men’s Sevens Development Squad. The clinic catered to 42 students from Kashii High School/Kashii Industrial High School and 27 children from the Jiyugaoka Kindergarten, providing an opportunity for participants to experience the new pitch firsthand.

JAPAN BASE plans to continue strengthening its collaboration with Fukuoka City and Fukuoka Prefecture, not only for the development of the national team and the next generation of players but also for the promotion of sports in general. The facility will be available for rent and will serve as a community space for local residents, contributing to regional development and the popularization of rugby.

For more information on JAPAN BASE, please visit JAPAN BASE’s website for details on the artificial turf renovation and reservation reopening, and here for information on the World Rugby certification.

The opening of this state-of-the-art facility represents a significant investment in the future of Japanese rugby, providing a world-class training environment and a hub for community engagement. The next scheduled event at JAPAN BASE is currently unconfirmed, but updates will be posted on the official website.

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