Theresa May takes Japanese prime minister on tour of Twickenham Stadium

Theresa May showed her Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe around Twickenham Stadium as he began a visit to the UK.

With Japan set to host the Rugby World Cup later this year, the Prime Minister and Mr Abe toured the stadium’s museum and watched school teams practise on the pitch.

The two prime ministers viewed an exhibition charting the history of rugby in Japan at the museum.

Mrs May and Mr Abe during their visit to Twickenham Stadium
Mrs May and Mr Abe during their visit to Twickenham Stadium

They were shown a jersey worn by a Japanese player when the country beat South Africa in the 2015 World Cup in England.

Mr Abe said: “Many rugby fans in Japan became fans because of that match against South Africa.”

Mrs May said: “It was a very exciting moment.

“I remember watching the end of the match on television.”

Theresa May and Shinzo Abe viewing an exhibition during their tour
Theresa May and Shinzo Abe viewing an exhibition during their tour

Mrs May and Mr Abe also saw the oldest international shirt, and the Calcutta Cup.

The two leaders spent several minutes chatting to school children at the stadium about the upcoming World Cup in Japan.

Mrs May and Mr Abe chatting to school children at the stadium
Mrs May and Mr Abe chatting to school children at the stadium

Mrs May and Mr Abe were also attending a briefing at the stadium chaired by security minister Ben Wallace where emergency service chiefs were sharing the UK’s experience of hosting large international events.

As well as holding the Rugby World Cup in September, Japan is also hosting the 2020 Olympics.

Mrs May and Mr Abe were having lunch at Twickenham consisting of smoked salmon with Oban gel, blood orange, wild nettle, followed by black treacle rolled fillet of beef, dripping potatoes, garlic and thyme, roasted carrot and buttered leek. Fresh fruit salad or burnt honey raspberry mousse cake was on offer for dessert.

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