Top �� What's up around the Prime Minister �� March, 2002

Kick-Off Ceremony for the FIFA World Cup Trophy's Tour Friday, March 8, 2002 The Kick-Off Ceremony for the FIFA World Cup Trophy's Tour was held at the Prime Minister's Official Residence with the attendance of Mr. Shoh Nasu, Chairman of the Japan Organising Committee for the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan (JAWOC), Sir Bobby Charlton, Ambassador of the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), Mr. Philippe Troussier, Head Coach of the Japan National Team and others concerned. Held with the objective of increasing interest in the FIFA World Cup, which is to start on May 31, this tour will take place over the course of approximately one month beginning at Yokohama and including ten host cities in which the trophy to be awarded to the winning country will be displayed. When, Sir Bobby Charlton handed the 18-karat gold trophy to Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi he stated, "It is quite heavy indeed," emphasizing the great importance of the history of the World Cup. Furthermore, Head Coach Troussier presented Prime Minister Koizumi with a uniform of the Japan national team inscribed with his name KOIZUMI and the number 10 on the back. In response, Prime Minister Koizumi expressed his expectation for the Japanese team that, "I am looking forward to attending the matches."