The 65th GJS Seminar
Come for the Rugby, Stay for the Culture: The Rugby World Cup as a
Catalyst for Atypical Tourists in Japan

Date and time: January 10, 2020 (Fri.), 5:00-6:00PM
Venue: Lobby (1F), Institute for Advanced Studies on Asia, the
University of Tokyo
Speaker: Christopher J. Hayes (Kyoto Studies Fellow at the Kyoto
Institute, Library and Archives; Academic Associate at the Sainsbury
Institute for the Study of Japanese Arts and Cultures)
Language: English

Abstract:
Japan recently became the first Asian country to host the Rugby World
Cup, which was held between 20th September and 2nd November 2019. An
estimated 400,000 rugby fans travelled to Japan to watch matches, but
what else did they do? Rugby fans make an interesting topic of study
as they are not your typical tourists to Japan. First and foremost,
they are in the country for sport. If they have an existing interest
in Japan, it is likely to be secondary. As tourists unmotivated by a
specific interest in the country, how then do they engage with the
culture? Outside of spectating, in what kinds of tourist activities do
they engage? And how does this contribute towards their knowledge and
perceptions of Japan? Part of an ongoing research project, in this
talk I will discuss my findings so far, drawing upon questionnaires
collected outside rugby stadiums, and also consider what implications
this has for the Tokyo Olympics this summer.


Organizer: The Global Japan Studies Network (GJS)
Co-organizer: Institute for Advanced Studeis on Asia (IASA)
Contact： gjs[at]ioc.u-tokyo.ac.jp