2019 Rugby World Cup and nearby Shikoku Island. No city in the latter region were venues for games in the 2002 FIFA World Cup, but Hiroshima did host games in the 2006 FIBA World Championship. On 17 July 2015, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced that plans to build the new National Stadium would be scrapped and rebid on amid public discontent over the stadium's building costs. As a result, the new stadium would not be ready until the 2020 Summer Olympics. World Rugby released a statement saying that they were extremely disappointed by the announcement "despite repeated assurances to contrary from the Japan
2012 Japan national football team 2012 Japan national football team The Japan national football team in 2012, managed by head coach Alberto Zaccheroni, competed against international exhibition matches both at home and abroad and later in the third and fourth rounds of the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification. International Friendly (2012 Kirin Challenge Cup) 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC) Third Round International Friendly (2012 Kirin Challenge Cup) 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC) Fourth Round 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC) Fourth Round 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC) Fourth Round International Friendly (2012 Kirin Challenge Cup) International Friendly (2012 Kirin Challenge Cup) 2014