World Rugby has announced the appointment of HITO Communications Inc. as an official sponsor of Rugby World Cup 2019 in Japan.

Japan’s human resources leader, HITO Communications Inc. is a major supporter of rugby in Japan, sponsoring the Sunwolves Super Rugby team since 2016, and will play a major role in the promotion of Rugby World Cup and rugby to new audiences across Japan as the nation transforms into a stadium of 126 million welcoming hosts.

World Rugby Chairman Sir Bill Beaumont said: "We are delighted to welcome HITO Communications Inc. to the commercial family for Rugby World Cup 2019 in Japan as an official sponsor.

"The appointment of another Japanese business leader to a record-breaking commercial portfolio reflects the enormous prestige of Rugby World Cup in Japan and broadens the reach and profile of what is shaping-up to be the most popular rugby event ever with record ticket demand and the biggest-ever broadcast and digital media footprint."

HITO Communications Inc Representative Director, President Toyomi Yasui said: “We are honoured to be participating in Rugby World Cup 2019, the first tournament in Asia, as an official sponsor. In an increasingly globalising and evolving rugby world, we know that this tournament will grow rugby’s fanbase and provide a strong foundation for rugby development in Japan.”

Rugby World Cup 2019 is on track to be the event to attend in 2019 with unprecedented ticketing demand during the priority and public phases to date and more than 83 per cent of all tickets sold. Fans interested in attending Asia's first Rugby World Cup can find out more via the official website at www.rugbyworldcup.com/tickets, where general ticket sales resume on 10 August. The site also contains details of the official supporter tour and hospitality programmes.

The Rugby World Cup 2019 commercial programme features a full inventory of six Worldwide Partners: Emirates, Heineken, Land Rover, Mastercard, Société Générale and DHL. Canon, TOTO Ltd, SECOM, Taisho Pharmaceutical, Mitsubishi Estate, NEC and HITO Communications Official Sponsors and Gilbert, TUDOR, Toppan Printing, Canterbury, NTT DOCOMO, EY, a conglomerate of newspaper companies, Suntory Holdings Limited and Aggreko as Tournament Suppliers.