Key Facts
• November 28, 2025: Three organizations signed a partnership agreement at Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium.
• 2027: Yokohama to host the International Horticultural Expo, focusing on sustainability.
• Organizations involved: International Horticultural Expo Association, Japan Rugby League One, Japan Rugby Union.
• Japan Rugby Union launched the world’s first “Environmental Sustainability Promotion Declaration” in October 2024.
• Rugby’s outdoor nature faces risks from heatstroke and storms due to climate change.
• Initiatives include social media campaigns and awareness booths at Japan national team matches.
• Cherry trees, part of Japan’s rugby emblem, to be planted in Yokohama’s Seya Ward.
• Female rugby player Minami Yamamoto emphasized the importance of protecting natural environments.
Summary
In preparation for the 2027 International Horticultural Expo in Yokohama, three organizations-the International Horticultural Expo Association, Japan Rugby League One, and Japan Rugby Union-have joined forces to promote environmental sustainability through sports. A partnership agreement was signed on November 28, 2025, at Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium. The collaboration aims to address climate change’s impact on outdoor sports like rugby, which faces challenges such as heatstroke risks and storm-related cancellations. Initiatives include leveraging social media for awareness, setting up educational booths at national rugby matches, and planting cherry trees in Yokohama’s Seya Ward, symbolizing the connection between sports and nature. Minami Yamamoto, a Yokohama-born female rugby player, highlighted the responsibility of athletes to protect the environment. This partnership builds on the Japan Rugby Union’s 2024 “Environmental Sustainability Promotion Declaration,” reinforcing efforts to create a sustainable society.
