Japanese money worries hit World Cup plans

Japan's economic crisis is hitting plans for the 2002 World Cup finals.

The draft budget for the finals arranged last year by Japanese organisers could be cut by $22 million according to Yasuhiko Endo, secretary-general of JAWOC the World Cup organising committee.

Sponsorship and revenue from Japanese businesses is under threat by the major economic down turn and further cuts in the $512 million budget could also be prepared soon.

Pledges from Japanese businesses for financial support are less than a quarter of the hoped for revenue predicted at one stage and the JAWOC team has asked the ten states who host matches in Japan to donate money to help out.

But Endo says several have not agreed to produce any funds.

"I would like to meet the leaders of the municipalities either in April or May to ask for their understanding" he said in Tokyo today. But the economic crisis has seen the municipalities build up debts at the same time as tax revenues are falling and expenditure on public sector spending is needed to increase.

FIFA have also told JAWOC that the top 10% of tickets will be reduced by half to cut costs on hospitality spending. These tickets were expected to lure major corporate sponsorship deals from businesses but their low take up rate has seen plans for a major expansion of 'World Cup hospitality' packages cut back.

The JAWOC board meeting today approved the draft budget and the economic problems could cut further into the World Cup budget.

"It's not as though the draft budget is the final one. There will probably be further revisions as we don't know what the economic conditions will be like next year" a JAWOC spokesman said.

Japan co-host the finals with South Korea. They start of May 30th next year in Seoul with the final at the end of June in Yokohama.