Rugby World Cup

Japan says its bid for the 2015 or 2019 World Cups, along with venues in Hong Kong and Singapore, represents a chance for the sport to grow beyond its traditional homes.

The Japan Rugby Football Union made its presentation to the International Rugby Board in Dublin on Wednesday, saying it was time for the sport to look beyond Europe, Australasia and South Africa.

"The World Cup has been passed along only to the traditional countries of the sport, but I called for the rugby torch also to be lit in Asia," JRFU president and former Japanese prime minister Yoshiro Mori said.

"Holding the tournament in Asia will be a big step for worldwide rugby."

Japan made a strong bid to host the 2011 event, but it was ultimately awarded to New Zealand.

The strength of that 2011 bid had made Japan the early favourite to secure either 2015 or 2019 hosting rights.

Japan's new bid features nine stadiums, many of which were used for the 2002 football World Cup, which was co-hosted with South Korea.

In addition to the nine venues in Japan, the JRFU is proposing holding matches at Hong Kong Stadium and Singapore National Stadium, where large numbers of ex-pats have made the sport popular.

Aside from Japan, other bids have been lodged by England, South Africa and Italy.

Australia had pulled out of bidding, baulking at the financial requirements of hosting.

The IRB will decide the host for both tournaments on July 28.

While the JRFU has yet to receive specific financial backing from the government, Japan's cabinet has said it will give the 2015 or 2019 bid its full support.

SAPA