Tokyo is favourite to host one of two new legs in an expanded HSBC Sevens World Series. The city could come on board either next year or in 2013.
International Rugby Board chief executive Mike Miller said there was every likelihood of the annual series increasing from eight to 10 tournaments next year, and that one of these stops would be in Asia.
'We are leaning to expanding the world series to 10, no more. We feel we can take another two venues in the short term,' Miller said.
'And Asia will be a strong contender for one of these tournaments. Asia is a strong sevens region and there is huge potential for growth.'
Apart from Hong Kong and Dubai, which have always been regular stopovers since the world series began in 1999, Singapore was also a stop but lost its status.
It is now believed that Tokyo is favourite to become the next Asian leg.