Japan have officially launched their campaign to host the 2018 or 2022 World Cup despite Tokyo missing out on staging the 2016 Olympic Games.

The country, who co-hosted the 2002 World Cup with South Korea, were basing a large part of their bid on the infrastructure that would be available from the proposed 2016 Olympics in Tokyo. Nevertheless, they have decided to continue with the bidding process despite being viewed as rank outsiders.

Motoaki Inukai, chairman of the bid committee, said: “Japan would like to surprise the world by hosting and developing a World Cup to a new dimension.”

This follows the Japan committee announcing their unique concept “Truly Universal”, which unveils the true value of the World Cup as the world’s largest communication device.

Only earlier this week, the country announced computer generated Manga character “Astro Boy” as the mascot for the bid. A short video of Astro Boyin a football kit has been to honour Japan’s desire to host the event.