Sports mega-events and cosmopolitan nationalism: A critical discourse analysis of media representations of Japan through the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

This article examines how Japan, as the host nation of the 2019 Rugby World Cup (RWC), projected a cosmopolitan nationalism by embracing ethnic diversity and internationalism to sustain and strengthen national identity. Through critical discourse analysis of media representations, particularly in the Japanese newspaper Asahi Shimbun, the study highlights the celebration of the Japanese national rugby team's multicultural composition under the slogan "One Team," the positive reception of foreign-born players, and intercultural exchanges such as volunteering after Typhoon Hagibis. While these "thin" cosmopolitan moments fostered inclusivity and international solidarity, they were ultimately framed within narratives that emphasized conditional acceptance of foreignness tied to national success and cultural assimilation, reflecting a blend of cosmopolitan ideals with traditional nationalist sentiments. The research contributes empirical evidence and theoretical insight into the emerging linkage between sports mega-events and cosmopolitan nationalism, especially in a non-Western context.