- Title: JAPAN: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - Japan 2022 World Cup bid preview
- Date: 26th November 2010
- Summary: ZURICH, SWITZERLAND (MAY 14, 2010) (REUTERS) (Soundbite) (English) JAPAN'S FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION CHAIRMAN MOTOAKI INUKAI SAYING: "Our proposal is absolutely unique." THEN OPENING THE BID BOOK WITH A POP-UP FEATURE AND VIDEO GAME INSIDE ZOOM OUT FROM BID BOOK READING "208 SMILES" AS SYMBOLS OF THE 208 MEMBER COUNTRIES AND REGIONS OF FIFA TO SEPP BLATTER POSING WITH MOTOAKI INUKAI AND OTHER BID COMMITTEE MEMBERS
- Embargoed: 11th December 2010 04:01
- Keywords:
- Location: Japan
- Country: Japan
- Topics: Sport
- Reuters ID: LVAEHOIQAQOQGLGI833Q57LEJ1TT
- Aspect Ratio: 4:3
- Story Text: Japan is banking on sci-fi technology and the country's 'wow factor' to win the race to host the 2022 World Cup.
After all, only in Japan can you hire a cat for an hour and stroke it while you have a coffee -- or better still, while a robot boils your noodles for you.
Japan, successful co-hosts of the 2002 World Cup with Asian neighbours South Korea, is an outside bet to win the vote on Dec. 2 when FIFA's executive committee meets in Zurich.
South Korea are also bidding again, along with the United States, Qatar and Australia.
Japan's credentials are second to none, with all but the main stadiums already in place and still in pristine condition, while the country's infrastructure ranks among the world's best.
Since the Japanese government unveiled the Bullet Train to mark the country's emergence as an economic power before the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, Japan has been at the forefront of technology.
The world's third largest economy, Japan still retains a great deal of its traditional charm, with shrines and quaint old shops tucked beside gleaming, new skyscrapers.
Modern Japan, with its crackling neon lights and crowded trains and shops, has turned convenience into an art with its automated wizardry.
Vending machines dispense everything from umbrellas to underwear. Japan boasts the highest number of machines per capita in the world and even has them at the top of Mount Fuji.
World Cup bidders plan to beam matches on to giant 3-D hologram-style screens in one of many hi-tech projects designed to amaze fans around the world during the 2022 tournament.
Translation earpieces will allow fans from different countries to interact, aided by devices to allow viewers to gather information by pointing to players on the pitch.
"Japan has always been at the centre of technological excellence," said bid director Yuichiro Nakajima. "Can we do it? Yes we can!"
Bold, presidential-style statements of intent come with the territory of bidding for major sporting events, but Japanese bid leaders have also struck a note of caution.
Japan Football Association (JFA) president Junji Ogura said: "It will be very difficult to predict who will win. It will be a real fight to the end."
Former JFA chief Saburo Kawabuchi warned that Japan risked being relegated to the status of rank outsiders. "Unless we really go all out, we won't stand a chance," he said. "Japan's chances are not zero but it will be very tough for us.
"The U.S. are the favourites and Qatar will also pick up a lot of votes," he added, aware that Asian Football Confederation (AFC) president Mohamed Bin Hammam has backed his native country.
With plans underway to build an 80,000-seater main stadium on the outskirts of Osaka, however, Japan remains a good choice for FIFA in terms of marketing and safety.
Japanese police famously developed a 'Spiderman' web-gun before the 2002 World Cup to entangle would-be hooligans but the country's strict security checks meant they were not needed.
Facts and figures relating to Japan's bid to stage the 2022 World Cup finals: Bid motto: 208 Smiles! Inspired by the fact that FIFA has 208 member countries.
Why are they bidding? Co-hosting the 2002 World Cup with South Korea was viewed as a compromise solution by both countries, who have made no secret of their wish to go it alone next time and Japan's stadiums and infrastructure are second to none.
Best footballing moment: Qualifying for their first World Cup finals in 1998.
Best-known footballers: Scudetto-winning Hidetoshi Nakata was Japan's most recognisable footballer until his shock retirement after the 2006 World Cup. Former Celtic midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura and Moscow-based Keisuke Honda have since filled that role.
Previous World Cup performances: Co-hosts in 2002 and have appeared in the last four tournaments. Reached the last 16 in 2002 and this year.
Main stadium for 2022: Plans are underway for a new 80,000-seater main stadium on the outskirts of Japan's second city Osaka.
Best points: Most of the stadiums are already in place and still in mint condition from the 2002 tournament. Japan is widely seen as having the world's best rail and road networks, and is a world leader in technology.
Possible drawbacks: Having successfully staged the World Cup finals as recently as 2002, Japan may be overlooked if FIFA opts against triggering friction with Asian rivals and 2002 co-hosts South Korea by diplomatically overlooking both.
Legacy point: Japan will have to build only one stadium and plans to beam matches on to giant, 3-D, hologram-style screens as one of many sci-fi projects during the tournament.
What they say: Junji Ogura, president of the Japan Football Association (JFA): "It's very difficult to predict who will win the vote. It will be a real scramble."
Bookies' odds: 33-1.
Population: 127 million Number of clubs: The JFA has 28,818 clubs registered at all levels, 37 of which are professional teams in the J-League first and second divisions.
FIFA World Ranking (Nov. 2010): 30th Trivia fact: JFA president Junji Ogura said a World Cup bid would be unlikely if Tokyo failed to land the 2016 Olympics. The city lost out to Rio de Janeiro but made a bid for the World Cup anyway. The country will also host the 2019 rugby World Cup. - Copyright Holder: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
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