The match pitted Japan against Hong Kong in the Asian Five Nations rugby tournament as they bid for inclusion in the 2015 Rugby World Cup in England.

Fittingly, Japan rode out 49-8 victors, securing qualification to the World Cup and continuing their record of appearing in every Rugby World Cup to date.

Prior to the match, Olympic hammer champion Koji Murofushi joined hundreds of children at the stadium during a ceremony to commemorate its closure in preparation for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The stadium, which was built 56 years ago ahead of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, is being closed to make way for a new 80,000-seater stadium which will be the centrepiece of the Games when they come to Japan in six years' time.

During the ceremony, Murofushi, who took gold in the hammer throw competition at the 2004 Olympics in Athens following the disqualification of Hungary's Adrián Annus, expressed his delight at being part of the celebrations before urging fans to flock to the city when the time comes in 2020.

Koji Murofushi won gold in the hammer throw competition at Athens 2004 after Hungary's Adrián Annus was stripped of the title following a failed drugs test ©Tokyo 2020



"Being on the field today was very moving," said Murofushi, who also took bronze at the London 2012 Olympics.

"This stadium is the sanctum of Japanese sport, full of history and memories.

"I am delighted and deeply honoured to be here as part of the celebrations to mark its closure.

"The new National Stadium will be astounding and I can't wait to be back here in 2020 to welcome athletes and spectators from around the world and to see the fantastic performances.

"Younger generations will also have the chance to make history in the new National Stadium during the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo."

The stadium is set to be built in time for the 2019 Rugby World Cup, which will be held in Japan.

The venue will also play host to the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, as well as the football, athletics and rugby competitions at these Games.

Workers will begin demolishing the stadium in July and work on the new Olympic Stadium will begin in October 2015.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
May 2014: UK to collaborate with Japan on Tokyo 2020 and 2019 Rugby World Cup
December 2013: Tokyo 1964 Olympic Cauldron to feature at new National Stadium for 2020 Games
November 2013: Tokyo's proposed Olympic Stadium to be downsized by a quarter
November 2013: There are risks if Zaha Hadid-designed Tokyo 2020 Stadium scaled back, warns project manager
October 2013: Japan may be forced to scale back Zaha Hadid-designed Tokyo 2020 Stadium to save costs