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TOKYO, JAPAN - MAR. 2: Rugby World Cup Ltd. and the Rugby World Cup 2019 organizing committee announced Monday that the city of Kamaishi in Iwate Prefecture, which suffered badly in the March 11, 2011 earthquake and tsunami, was among 12 cities named as venues for the 2019 tournament in Japan. The opener and final at the September-October event, the ninth Rugby World Cup, are expected to be held at the yet-to-be-built new National Stadium in Tokyo -- which is to be the centerpiece of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The announcement was made in a joint press conference in which RWC Chairman Bernard Lapasset and managing director of Rugby World Cup 2019, Akira Shimazu, were speaking from Dublin. Hanazono Rugby Ground in Higashi Osaka, which is considered the sport's spiritual home in western Japan, was also among the chosen, along with Sapporo Dome, Saitama Prefecture's Kumagaya Rugby Ground, Yokohama International Stadium, Shizuoka Prefecture's Ecopa Stadium, Aichi Prefecture's Toyota Stadium, Kobe's Misaki Park Stadium, Fukuoka's Hakatanomori Stadium, Kumamoto Prefectural Athletic Stadium and Oita Sports Park Athletic Stadium. "We selected Japan because we share the same vision. All of Japan will be able to join in the celebration. Operational planning is on track. I have no doubt that Japan 2019 will be a memorable World Cup that people will enjoy." Shimazu then made the announcement of the 12 venues. "Our colleagues at Rugby World Cup advised us from the start that the optimal number would be 10, but we have in the end reached agreement on all aspects," he said. "The final selection was based on a wide range of criteria and a good balance in terms of geography." Former Japan manager Seiji Hirao, who is serving as a director for the tournament, said it was a great opportunity to spotlight Asia. "With every tournament it has grown incredibly and now it is huge. Innovation has been a big part of that. This gives Asia a chance to show its own brand innovation."