Aug 20 (NHK) - Japan's newest rugby stadium has been officially opened, as the country prepares to host next year's Rugby World Cup.
The stadium is located in Kamaishi in Iwate Prefecture, a city badly affected by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami.
Kamaishi Mayor Takenori Noda attended a ceremony on Sunday to mark the completion of the Kamaishi Unosumai Memorial Stadium. The local government built the stadium at a cost of around 35 million dollars.
The mayor gave a speech in which he referred to the support the city received from all over Japan after the disaster, and said he hopes to convey his gratitude through rugby.
After the ceremony, local children held a practice session with professional rugby players.
The 90,000 square meter stadium has a permanent capacity of 6,000. An extra 10,000 temporary seats will be added for some games during the World Cup.
One local woman said she hopes the stadium will help the city rebound from the disaster.
