Organizers said that Fukuoka "will host yachting’s America’s Cup World Series on Nov. 18-20," according to the JAPAN TIMES.
It "will be the first time that the world’s oldest sporting trophy, dating back 165 years, will take place in Asia." America's Cup CEO Russell Coutts: "This is an incredible opportunity to showcase this compelling sport to new audiences, not only in Japan but across all of Asia." SoftBank Team Japan is the fourth Japanese challenge for the America’s Cup, and the first since '99.
Kazuhiko “Fuku” Sofuku was a bowman with that '99 team and he "has returned with SoftBank Team Japan as general manager and sailing crew member." He said, "As a Japanese sailor, it is extremely meaningful to be able to have the race in Japan" (JAPAN TIMES, 6/2). CNN reported backed by tech billionaire Masayoshi Son, it is the fourth Japanese team to compete for the America's Cup. With Japan to host the 2020 Olympics, Fukuoka "will have the chance to show it can stage big sailing events." City Mayor
Soichiro Takashima: "Fukuoka is aiming to be a leading city in Asia, so being able to host the Louis Vuitton America's Cup World Series in Japan for the first time is truly wonderful." The series started in '15, and next week goes to Chicago before visiting Portsmouth in the U.K. in July, Toulon in France in September, and then Fukuoka (CNN, 6/2).
