Japan will apply to the International Rugby Board (IRB) to become a candidate to host the 2011 Rugby World Cup, rugby sources said Tuesday.
Officials of the Japan Rugby Football Union will discuss the details in a meeting in June and are set to complete the application procedures by September.
After inspection visits to candidate sites, the IRB will make the final decision on the venue in November 2005. South Africa and Argentina are also showing interest in hosting the 2011 World Cup.
Should Japan be selected, it would be the first Rugby World Cup to be held in Asia.