Image: The current national stadium opened in 1958

Japan Sport Council (JSC) has announced the launch of an international design competition for a new national stadium - a project on a "scale unprecedented this century".

The organisation's president Ichiro Kono said the new venue - scheduled for completion in 2018 - will be at the heart of the 2020 Olympic Games if Japan is selected to host the event.

It is already earmarked to host the 2019 Rugby World Cup, while also providing a potential venue for any future FIFA World Cup and IAAF World Athletics Championship bids.

Tadao Ando - founder of Tadao Ando Architect and Associates - will chair the design jury, with interested parties required to pre-register for the contest by 10 September.

Design concepts for Japan's new national stadium would then be required by 25 September and it is anticipated a winner will be named in November following two selection phases.

According to JSC, the stadium will offer "world-class events, the world's largest spectator capacity and the world's finest hospitality" through an "all-new approach".

Kono said: "As an all-new stadium, we want to create it in an all-new way with full public participation. We pledge to make the entire process - from design selection to final completion - fully open and transparent."

Japan's current venue - Kasumigaoka National Stadium - can cater for 48,000 spectators while seated and first opened in 1958, with events including the 1964 Olympic Games.

Click here for more information about the international design contest for the new national stadium of Japan.