The Rugby World Cup in Japan

Part of 2. Questions to the Minister for International Relations and Welsh Language – in the Senedd at 3:02 pm on 18 September 2019.

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Photo of Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan Labour 3:02, 18 September 2019

Thank you. I think I should probably emphasise it's not a Peter Mandelson kind of dome; it's about a 9 ft dome. It's not quite as expensive as that one, but I think it will attract a huge amount of attention. What we've done is to get people actually sponsoring the dome and it's an all-embracing facility where things are projected onto the walls and it's very exciting. Lots of companies have taken the opportunity to promote themselves out there. We have been co-operating very closely with the Welsh Rugby Union and I think they've done a terrific job so far, if you look at the welcome that the team had in Kitakyushu.

And of course, we have a Welsh presence in Japan already. We have an office there. We have 40 years of establishing a relationship with Japanese companies. We have Clwb Hiraeth, so lots of people who have worked in Wales have gone back to Japan. All of those networks are being actioned as a result of this promotional activity. So, of course, yes, we've been working with the honorary consul for Japan and all of those networks are being really stepped up as a result of the world cup.