The OEM announced that it is to sponsor the 2019 tournament in Japan.
The company has renewed its contract and will become “the first company to serve as an official sponsor” for the event, which will take place in 12 cities throughout Japan from 20 September to 2 November 2019. The Rugby World Cup is hosted every four years, and is said to be “one of the world’s most prestigious sporting events”, with 20 national teams taking part to win the Webb Ellis Cup.
This will be the ninth tournament and the first to take place in Asia, and will be broadcast to more than 207 countries. The behind-the-scenes press will be supported by Canon, with the loan of cameras and lens maintenance services for photographers to enable them to capture the action, and Canon will also provide print and copying solutions to the Tournament Organising Committee as well as MFPs, video cameras, projectors and medical equipment.
Fujio Mitarai, Chairman and CEO of Canon, said: “Following on from [the] Rugby World Cup 2015 in England, Canon is delighted to continue backing the tournament, which will take place in Asia for the first time, as an official sponsor of [the] Rugby World Cup 2019 in Japan.
“In addition to supporting professional photographers from Japan and overseas as they capture the intense action of the world’s top teams facing off in peak condition; Canon, working together with the organising committee, relevant authorities, local government and other corporate sponsors, will do the utmost to support [the] Rugby World Cup 2019 throughout Japan.”
Bill Beaumont, World Rugby Chairman, commented: “We are delighted to be extending our relationship with Canon as a Rugby World Cup 2019 official sponsor. Canon is an important supporter of rugby in Japan, an innovator in its field and a perfect match for our premier event. This exciting relationship underscores the significant global appeal of the first Rugby World Cup in Asia and we look forward to working in partnership with Canon to extend the reach and impact of the sport in Japan, across Asia and around the globe.”