With 100 days to go before the Rugby World Cup begins in Japan, a clock counting down to the start of the first match was unveiled Wednesday at the Marunouchi Building in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, as part of the commemorative events.

 Ayumu Goromaru, a member of Japan’s 2015 Rugby World Cup team, joined a talk at the event, saying, “We would like for as many people as possible to know the allure of rugby and make this the best World Cup ever.”

 The Rugby World Cup in Japan features 20 teams and 48 matches spread across 12 venues. The tournament starts Sept. 20 and ends on Nov. 2.

 The Japan squad will be making its ninth consecutive appearance in the Rugby World Cup, with the aim of reaching the quarterfinals for the first time.

 The squad is presently training in Miyazaki — practicing scrums and other plays on Wednesday morning — ahead of the Pacific Nations Cup, a good opportunity to experience actual matches before the World Cup. The Pacific Nations Cup will take place in July and August.