Kitakyushu, an international industrial and trade city embracing a population of one million, was established in February 1963 by the equal amalgamation of the five cities of Moji, Kokura, Wakamatsu, Yahata, and Tobata.
Located close to other Asian countries, Kitakyushu has thrived as a gateway to Asia due to its convenient location between Tokyo and Shanghai and as an industrial base in Japan.
Now as a hub city of a metropolitan sphere with a population of 2 million people, Kitakyushu is being regenerated as a city of energy and charm.
Kitakyushu was the camp venue for the Wales national rugby union team in the Rugby World Cup 2019, and was the camp venue for the GB Team ahead of the World Wheelchair Rugby Challenge 2019. GBWR supported the city with a number of civic engagements in schools and businesses and opened their doors for the citizens of the city to watch GB training sessions. As part of this initiative, the city also planned to host the GB Team for additional training camps before the Paralympic Test Event and the Paralympic Games in 2020, however regrettably COVID-19 restrictions prevented the team from returning.
The partnership was announced in 2019 when GBWR welcomed the Mayor of Kitakyushu, Mr Kenji Kitahashi, to Leicester to enjoy the King Power Wheelchair Rugby Quad Nations tournament, and to sign the Memorandum of Understanding at a signing ceremony hosted by the Lord Mayor of Leicester.
GBWR and the City of Kitakyushu were proud to renew the Memorandum of Understanding in 2021 during the Paralympic Games, this time hosted via video conference.