Sano, Tochigi Prefecture, is to host the first International Cricket Council East Asia–Pacific Cup, The Guardian reported on 29 July.
The move is, in part, thanks to Naoki Alex Miyaji, chief executive of the Japan Cricket Association, who fell in love with the game during summer holidays in the UK. Miyaji suggested turning Sano into a cricket town, a proposal with which local authorities and businesses agreed. It is now home to Japan’s first dedicated cricket pitch to meet international standards.
Teams from Japan, China, South Korea and Hong Kong will take part in the competition, which is scheduled for November.