Japan national rugby union team

The Japan national rugby union team, often known as the Cherry Blossoms, Sakura, and more recently The Brave Blossoms (ブレイブ・ブロッサムズ - Bureibu burossamuzu) is traditionally the strongest rugby union power in Asia and has enjoyed and endured mixed results against non-Asian teams over the years. Rugby union in Japan is administered by the Japan Rugby Football Union (JRFU), which was founded in 1926. They compete annually in the Pacific Nations Cup and previously in the Asia Rugby Championship. They have also participated in every Rugby World Cup since the tournament began in 1987.

"Japan national rugby team" redirects here. For the national rugby league team, see Japan national rugby league team.
This article is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Japan women's national rugby union team.

Japan
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)Cherry Blossoms/Brave Blossoms/Sakuras
EmblemSakura
UnionJapan Rugby Football Union
Head coachJamie Joseph
CaptainMichael Leitch
Most capsHitoshi Ono (98)
Top scorerAyumu Goromaru (708)
Top try scorerDaisuke Ohata (69)
Home stadiumJapan National Stadium
Chichibunomiya Stadium
First colours
Second colours
World Rugby ranking
Current14 (as of 28 August 2023)
Highest7 (2019)
Lowest20 (2003, 2006)
First international
Japan 9–8 Canada 
(Osaka, Japan; 31 January 1932)
Biggest win
Japan 155–3 Chinese Taipei 
(Tokyo, Japan; 1 July 2002)
Biggest defeat
 New Zealand 145–17 Japan
(Bloemfontein, South Africa; 4 June 1995)
World Cup
Appearances9 (First in 1987)
Best resultQuarter-finals (2019)
Websiteen.rugby-japan.jp
(in English)

Rugby was first played in Japan's treaty ports as early as 1866. Popular participation by local university teams was established in 1899 and Japan's first recorded international match was a match against a Canadian team in 1932. Notable games for Japan include a victory over the Junior All Blacks in 1968, and a narrow 6–3 loss to England in 1971. Famous wins by Japan include a 28–24 victory over a Scotland XV in 1989 and a 23–8 victory over Wales in 2013. In 2011, Japan displayed its progress by winning the 2011 IRB Pacific Nations Cup, played against Fiji, Samoa and Tonga. Further progress was displayed in 2014 when Japan completed a string of ten consecutive test wins (a record for a tier 2 team) to rank in the world's top 10 teams.[1] This continued into 2015 where they produced the first of their three biggest upsets when, in a Rugby World Cup pool match against South Africa, they won 34–32.[2][3][4]

In the years between, Japan faced quality opposition, playing relatively well with solid results including a tie against France, and a narrow loss to Wales at Cardiff. Their second shock win was a 19–12 defeat of world number-two ranked Ireland in a 2019 Rugby World Cup pool game. Emerging undefeated from the tournament's pool stage after a 28–21 victory over Scotland, Japan made their first-ever World Cup quarter-final appearance, going down 3–26 to eventual world champions South Africa.[5][6]

History
Main article: Rugby union in Japan
Rugby football game in Yokohama, 1874

The first recorded instance of a team being established and rugby being played in Japan was in 1866 with the founding of the Yokohama Foot Ball Club. Games, mainly between service personnel, were played on the Garrison Parade Ground in Yamate, Yokohama.[7] In 1874 records also illustrate British sailors staging a game in Yokohama. Other games were played at other treaty ports such as Kobe between teams of long-term foreign residents and visiting ships' crews and garrisons, but they rarely involved Japanese players. The date of local Japanese participation in the sport is most frequently cited as 1899, when students at Keio University were introduced to the game by Professor Edward Bramwell Clarke and Ginnosuke Tanaka both graduates of Cambridge University.

The formation of a national team and effectively Japan's first international match took place in Osaka on 31 January 1932 when a trade delegation from Canada to Japan supported an overseas tour by the Canada national rugby union team. The Japanese won this first match 9–8. In a second test match in Tokyo 11 days later again the Japanese side beat the Canadians 38–5.[8]

Japan beat the Junior All Blacks 23–19 in 1968 after losing the first four matches on a tour of New Zealand, but they won the last five. The Japanese (coached by Waseda University Professor Onishi Tetsunosuke) lost by just 3–6 to England in Tokyo on 29 September 1971 in the RFU's centenary year. The 1973 Japan rugby union tour of Wales, England and France was less successful with the side winning only two of their eleven matches, and losing the international matches against Wales and France. Ten years later Japan gave Wales a fright in losing by a slim five-point margin, 24–29, at Cardiff Arms Park on 2 October 1983.

On 28 May 1989, a strong Japan coached by Hiroaki Shukuzawa defeated an uncapped Scotland, missing nine British Lions on tour in Australia, for the first time at Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium, 28–24. The Japan team included such Kobe Steel stalwarts as centre Seiji Hirao (captain), and locks Atsushi Oyagi and Toshiyuki Hayashi (38 Japan caps and a member of Oxford University's all-time best XV). Sinali Latu at No. 8 was then a fourth year student at Daito Bunka University, and speedy Yoshihito Yoshida on the wing (no. 14) was a third year at Meiji University. Scotland missed an incredible seven penalties and refused the kicking tee which was generously offered – as a surviving video of the game shows. It was almost the same Japanese team which defeated Zimbabwe in RWC1991.

Under Shogo Mukai (2001–2003)

After Hirao resigned, Toshiba Brave Lupus coach Shogo Mukai was appointed in March 2001 to lead Japan up to the 2003 Rugby World Cup. After mixed fortunes in his first two years in charge, Japan put in some impressive performances at the tournament with good efforts against Scotland and France, nevertheless they still left the tournament having failed to reach their target of winning some matches but still won admirers for their exciting brand of play. Mukai left his post after the tournament to spend more time with his family.

Under Mitsutake Hagimoto (2004–2005)

After Shogo Mukai left after the 2003 Rugby World Cup, the JRFU initially tried to appoint Eddie Jones from his post with Australia but were unsuccessful and instead appointed Mitsutake Hagimoto in March 2004 after he won the inaugural Top League with the Kobelco Steelers. Under Hagimoto, Japan decided they would not select foreign born players after Mukai had been criticised for playing too many at the World Cup.

Hagimoto's first match in charge was a disappointing draw with Korea, but his first few matches in charge after that were promising with wins over Russia and Canada to win the Super Powers Cup and pushed Italy close losing 32–19.

However, in November 2004, Japan went on a disastrous tour to Europe where they were embarrassingly thrashed 100–8 by Scotland and 98–0 by Wales and also were comfortably defeated by Romania. Japan's performances were described as "pathetic", and the squad was called "a joke" with some key players ignored or not given permission to travel.

This disastrous tour forced a rethink from Hagimoto and foreign born players were brought back into the side in 2005, but after losing twice to Ireland in June he was sacked and with just 5 wins from 15 matches was the least successful coach for Japan in the professional era.

Under Jean-Pierre Élissalde (2005–2006)
Japan play Tonga at Honjo stadium on 4 June 2006

After Hagimoto left his post at the end of June 2005, Jean-Pierre Élissalde who had been appointed backs coach three months earlier took full charge and became the first foreigner to be the head coach for Japan. His first match in charge was a 44–29 win over Spain in November 2005.

In 2006, despite a disappointing campaign in the inaugural Pacific Nations Cup in June where Japan lost all their matches, and also lost to heavily to Italy 52–6, Élissalde was backed to lead the side to the 2007 Rugby World Cup. But Élissalde was later sacked in September after he took on a job with Bayonne without consulting the JRFU and then refused to give up his job with them.[9] Assistant coach Osamu Ota took over as caretaker coach for two Rugby World Cup qualifiers in November 2006.

Under John Kirwan (2007–2011)
Japan plays Australia A on 8 June 2008

John Kirwan was appointed head coach on in October 2006 after Elissalde was sacked. He initially worked as an advisor to caretaker coach Osamu Ota before taking over the job completely in 2007.

After starting with large wins over the Asian opposition, Japan only won one of their remaining 10 fixtures in 2007, although in the 2007 Rugby World Cup they did gain a draw with a last minute touchline conversion from Shotaro Onishi against Canada to end a long losing streak of World Cup matches stretching back to 1991.

Results began to pick up after the 2007 World Cup and Kirwan led Japan up to a high of 13th in the IRB Rankings and to win their first ever Pacific Nations Cup title in 2011 after they beat Fiji away for the first ever time in Japan's history.

However, despite more positive results in between World Cups, Japan had a disappointing 2011 Rugby World Cup, losing 31–18 to Tonga who they had beaten four times in a row since 2008, and drawing again to Canada who they had beaten 46–8 and 27–6 in 2009, and Japan left the World Cup winless meaning they still had not won a match at the tournament since 1991. Kirwan came under pressure after the tournament and he resigned from his post after his contract came to the end at the end of the year.

The tenure of Kirwan as coach was notable for a large number of imports he selected. Players who originated from New Zealand such as James Arlidge, Bryce Robins, Shaun Webb, Ryan Nicholas, Luke Thompson or Tonga such as Alisi Tupuailei and Sione Vatuvei all featured prominently under Kirwan. The large percentage of foreigners in the national team also caused criticism for Kirwan. However, despite failing to bring Japan a World Cup win, Kirwan left his post as the most successful Japan coach of the professional era with a win rate of 58.18% from 55 matches.

Under Eddie Jones (2012–2015)

Kirwan chose not to renew his contract as head coach when it expired at the end of 2011, and the Japan Rugby Football Union announced that former Australia coach Eddie Jones would be his successor.[10] Jones stated that his intention was to take the Japanese national team into the top 10 on the international rankings, and that they must develop a style of play to allow them to win games against teams such as Scotland.

Jones made his debut as Japan head coach against Kazakhstan. He had selected a total of 10 uncapped players out of the 22 selected players. They went on to win the match 87–0. They then had a big win over United Arab Emirates where young 18-year-old Yoshikazu Fujita set a new Asian Five Nations record for the most tries in a single match with a total of 6. This was also Fujita's international debut.[11]

In 2013, Jones led Japan to their sixth consecutive championship win in the Asian Five Nations, where Japan achieved a tournament record score of 121–0 against the Philippines. In May, the nation lost their opening match of the 2013 IRB Pacific Nations Cup to Tonga, followed by a defeat to Fiji in the second round. Following these matches, Japan faced a 2-test series against Wales. Japan lost narrowly, 18–22, in the first test, but won the second test 23–8, and the series ended in a 1–1 draw. This was the first time that Japan had recorded a victory over the Welsh.

On 16 October 2013, Jones was hospitalised after having a suspected stroke and was released from hospital 2 days later on 18 October 2013.[12][13] After his release from hospital, it was announced that Jones would miss Japan's 2013 end-of-year rugby union tests against New Zealand, Scotland, Gloucester, Russia and Spain, and former Australia skills coach and current technical adviser for Japan Scott Wisemantel would interim coach Japan for their 2013 end-of-year rugby union tests.[14]

Jamie Joseph giving a speech at a Sunwolves match on 12 May 2018

On 19 September 2015, Japan stunned South Africa by a last minute try from Karne Hesketh to win 34–32 in their opening group pool game at the 2015 Rugby World Cup in Brighton, England. BBC reported the win as "arguably the biggest upset in rugby union history".[15] In 2015, Japan became the first team in World Cup history to win three pool games but still be eliminated at the group stage, due to their heavy loss to Scotland.[16]

Under Jamie Joseph (2016–present)

Jamie Joseph, former coach of New Zealand's Highlanders Super Rugby team and the Māori All Blacks, took over as head coach for Japan (and the Sunwolves Super Rugby team) in 2016. In the 2017 Asia Rugby Championship, Japan sealed their twelfth consecutive Asia Rugby Championship, winning all four games. They went on to defeat Romania 33–21 in the 2017 June rugby union tests, but lost to Ireland 2–0, during their first test series since 2005, losing the first test 50–22 and the second 35–13. In November 2017, Joseph led his side to a single win and a draw in four games. They started their End-of-year series with two consecutive home losses, a 27–47 loss to a World XV side and a 30–63 loss to Australia. Japan's first win came against Tonga 39–6 in Toulouse, France, before going on to draw with France 23–23, which was the first time that these two nations had drawn with one another.

During the 2018 June tests, Joseph led Japan to a 1–all series draw with Italy, winning the first test 34–17, and losing the second 25–22. The team then beat Georgia 28–0 at the Toyota Stadium.

In 2019, Japan won the Pacific Nations Cup with wins against Fiji, Tonga and the United States, with no losses.

Japan hosted the Rugby World Cup in 2019, and the team repeated their feat of a shock win in Brighton at the 2015 World Cup, this time beating world No. 2-ranked Ireland 19–12 at Shizuoka Stadium in Fukuroi, Shizuoka[17][18] They reached the quarter-finals for the first time in the team's history after beating Scotland 28–21 at the International Stadium Yokohama in Yokohama that was battered by Typhoon Hagibis only the night before.[19]

Kits

Japan traditionally plays with white and red hooped shirts (with white collar and cuffs) with a Sakura embroidered on the chest, paired with white shorts and white socks with red splashes. Between 2003 and 2011, the shirt was predominantly red with two white parallel hoops on the chest with white accents, sometimes with black or navy socks and shorts.

Since its first test against Canada in 1930, Japan played with the traditional hooped red and white shirts, the emblem on the shirt originally depicted the Sakura as "bud, half-open and full-bloomed".[20] The current version of the emblem, depicting three full-bloomed Sakura, was dated 1952, when Japan played against Oxford University XV[21][22] at Hanazono, Higashi-Osaka, on 1 October 1952.[23]

On 4 July 2019 the Japan Rugby Football Union on Thursday unveiled the national team's jersey for this year's Rugby World Cup, the shirt featuring a samurai helmet motif representing the tradition of Japan's warrior spirit. The combination of Samurai and Sakura (Cherry Blossom) has long been linked in Japanese culture.

The away kit usually consist of a navy blue uniform, white or navy shorts and navy blue socks, sometimes with white collar or panels, or black. The kit supplier since the 1997 is Canterbury. Before that, the kits were manufactured by Japanese company Sceptre between 1987 and 1995[24][25] and in 1982, by Suzuki Sports.[26] Currently, the jersey sponsors are Lipovitan D (in the front) and Toshiba (in the back). Previously, between 1997 and 2001, the shirt sponsor was Japan Telecom.

Kit suppliers
Period Kit manufacturer
1982Suzuki Sports
1987–1995Sceptre
1997–presentCanterbury

Home kit
1960s–2002
2003–2006
2007–2009
2011–2014
2015–2018
2019–2023
2023–present

Away kit
1960s–2002
2003–2006
2007–2009
2011–2014
2015–2018
2019–2023
2023–present

List of matches
Main articles: List of Japan national rugby union test matches § 2020s, and List of Japan national rugby union test matches

Wins against Tier 1 nations
3 June 1968[27] Junior All Blacks  19–23 Japan Japan New Zealand Athletic Park, Wellington  
Try: Mike O'Callaghan
??? (2)
Con: ??? (2)
Pen: ??? (2)
 Try: Yoshihiro Sakata (4)
Akira Yokoi
Tadayuki Ito
Con: Tsutomu Katsuraguchi
Pen: Tsutomu Katsuraguchi
 Attendance: 25,000
Referee: RC Fenton
28 May 1989 Japan Japan 28–24  Scotland XV Japan Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium, Tokyo  
15 September 1998 Japan Japan 44–29  Argentina Japan Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium, Tokyo  
Try: McCormick
Ohata
Watanabe (2)
Con: Murata (3)
Pen: Murata (4)
Drop: Ken Iwabuchi (2)
 Report Try: Corleto
Ledesma
Martín
Pfister
Con: Fuselli
Lobrauco
Drop: Fuselli
 Attendance: 20,000
Referee: Italy Giovanni Morandin (Italy)
15 June 2013 Japan Japan 23–8  Wales Japan Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium, Tokyo  
14:00 JST (UTC+9) Try: Wing 49' c
Broadhurst 60' c
Con: Goromaru (2/2) 49', 61'
Pen: Goromaru (3/3) 14', 34', 76'
 Report Try: Prydie 44' m
Pen: Biggar (1/2) 21'
 Attendance: 21,062
Referee: Greg Garner (England)
21 June 2014 Japan Japan 26–23  Italy Japan Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium, Tokyo  
14:00 JST (UTC+09) Try: Yamada 4' c
Sa'u 59' c
Con: Goromaru (2/2) 5', 60'
Pen: Goromaru (4/5) 13', 22', 42', 48'
 Report
(In Italian)[28]		 Try: Penalty try 17' c
Barbieri 74' c
Con: Orquera (1/1) 17'
Allan (1/1) 75'
Pen: Orquera (3/3) 7', 35', 52'
 Attendance: 13,816
Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
19 September 2015 South Africa  32–34  Japan England Falmer Stadium, Brighton  
16:45 Try: Louw 18' c
B. Du Plessis 33' m
De Jager 44' c
Strauss 62' c
Con: Lambie (2/3) 19', 45'
Pollard (1/1) 63'
Pen: Lambie (1/1) 54'
Pollard (1/1) 73'
 Try: Leitch 30' c
Goromaru 69' c
Hesketh 80' m
Con: Goromaru (2/3) 31', 70'
Pen: Goromaru (5/6) 8', 43', 49', 53', 60'
 Attendance: 29,290
Referee: Jérôme Garcès (France)
9 June 2018 Japan  34–17  Italy Japan Oita Bank Dome, Oita  
14:45 JST (UTC+09) Try: Mafi 17' c
Fukuoka 27' c
Lemeki 60' c
Matsushima 65' c
Con: Tamura (4/4) 19', 29', 62', 67'
Pen: Tamura (2/3) 33', 57'
 Try: Pasquali 14' c
Steyn 35' c
Con: Allan (2/2) 16', 37'
Pen: Allan (1/1) 51'
 Attendance: 25,824
Referee: Nic Berry (Australia)
28 September 2019 Japan  19–12  Ireland Japan Shizuoka Stadium, Fukuroi  
16:15 JST (UTC+09) Try: Fukuoka 59' c
Con: Tamura (1/1) 61'
Pen: Tamura (4/6) 18', 34', 40', 72'
 Try: Ringrose 14' m
Rob Kearney 21' c
Con: Carty (1/2) 22'
 Attendance: 47,813
Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
13 October 2019 Japan  28–21  Scotland Japan International Stadium Yokohama, Yokohama  
16:15 JST (UTC+09) Try: Matsushima 18' c
Inagaki 26' c
Fukuoka (2) 40' c, 43' c
Con: Tamura (4/4) 20', 27', 40+2', 44'
 Report Try: Russell 7' c
Nel 50' c
Fagerson 55' c
Con: Laidlaw (2/2) 8', 51'
Russell (1/1) 56'
 Attendance: 67,666
Referee: Ben O'Keeffe (New Zealand)

Additionally, Japan tied  France 23–23 in Paris, 25 November 2017.[29]

Overall
Men's World Rugby Rankings
Top 20 as of 23 October 2023[30]
RankChange*TeamPoints
1 Steady South Africa092.79
2 Steady New Zealand091.56
3 Steady Ireland090.57
4 Steady France087.81
5 Steady England083.72
6 Steady Scotland083.43
7 Steady Argentina082.42
8 Steady Wales080.64
9 Steady Australia077.48
10 Steady Fiji076.38
11 Steady Italy075.93
12 Steady Japan074.27
13 Steady Portugal072.78
14 Steady Georgia072.68
15 Steady Samoa072.23
16 Steady Tonga071.57
17 Steady Uruguay067.39
18 Steady United States066.22
19 Steady Spain064.05
20 Steady Romania063.28
21 Steady Namibia060.56
22 Steady Chile060.49
23 Steady Canada060.46
24 Steady Hong Kong059.80
25 Steady Russia058.06
26 Steady Brazil056.35
27 Steady Netherlands055.84
28 Steady  Switzerland055.72
29 Steady Belgium054.58
30 Steady South Korea053.46
* Change from the previous week
Japan's historical rankings
See or edit source data.
Source: World Rugby[30]
Graph updated to 23 October 2023

Below is table of the representative rugby matches played by a Japan national XV to 10 October 2023.[31]

Opponent Played Won Lost Drawn Win % For Aga Diff
Arabian Gulf3300100.0%25620+236
 Argentina716016.67%186298−112
 Australia60600.0%111315−204
 Australia A40400.0%51242−191
Australia Australian Universities624033.3%6090−30
Australia Emerging Wallabies210150.0%4139+2
British & Irish Lions10100.0%1028-18
 Canada25158260.0%612581+31
Canada British Columbia Bears622233.3%10382+21
 Chile1100100.0%4212+30
 England40400.0%47181−134
 England XV50500.0%71131−60
 England Saxons30300.0%35147−112
England England Students10100.0%043−43
England England Under-23's20200.0%2577−52
England Cambridge University413025.0%52110−58
England Oxford University40400.0%28130−102
England Oxford and Cambridge30300.0%30113−83
 Fiji19415021.05%358523−165
 France70610.0%146248−102
 France XV60600.0%31272−241
 Georgia651083.3%15096+54
 Hong Kong29244182.8%1175370+805
 Ireland1019010%173447−274
 Ireland XV20200.0%2881−53
Ireland Ireland Students10100.0%1224−12
 Italy927022.22%167283−116
 Kazakhstan5500100.0%41823+395
 South Korea36296180.1%1614517+1097
 Netherlands10100.0%1315−2
 New Zealand50500.0%92389−297
 New Zealand XV20200.0%4180−176
 Junior All Blacks817012.5%98337−239
 Māori10100.0%2265−43
New Zealand New Zealand Universities15211213.3%221417−196
 Philippines2200100.0%22010+210
 Portugal1100100.0%3825+13
Australia Queensland Reds10100.0%642−36
 Romania651083.3%152119+33
 Russia761083.3%299127+172
 Samoa18612033.33%361547−186
 Scotland918011.1%132363−231
 Scotland XV413025.0%64165−101
 Singapore1100100.0%4515+30
 South Africa312033.3%4499−55
 Spain3300100.0%11443+71
 Sri Lanka3300100.0%26629+237
 Thailand1100100.0%4211+31
 Tonga19109052.63%480469+11
 United Arab Emirates3300100.0%3106+304
 United States241013141.7%560675−115
 Uruguay541080.0%16554+111
 Wales1019010.0%159526−367
 Wales XV40400.0%56229−173
Wales Welsh Clubs10100.0%963−54
 Zimbabwe1100100.0%528+44
Total3751592051142.4%10,05610,551−495

Coaches

Current squad

On 15 August, Japan named their an 30-player squad for the 2023 Rugby World Cup was announced, with 3 players remaining to be added.[34]

On 18 August 2023, James Moore was ruled out of the World Cup, after being withdrawn due to conditioning issues, and was replaced in the squad by Uwe Helu. Warner Dearns, Amanaki Saumaki, and Lappies Labuschagné were also added to the squad to complete the 33-player squad.[35]

On 29 August 2023, Uwe Helu and Shōgo Nakano were ruled out of the World Cup, after being withdrawn due to performance issues, and were replaced by Amato Fakatava and Kanji Shimokawa.[36]

Caps updated: 26 August 2023

Player Position Date of birth (age) Caps Club/province
Shota Horie Hooker (1986-01-21) 21 January 1986 72 Japan Saitama Wild Knights
Kosuke Horikoshi Hooker (1995-06-02) 2 June 1995 7 Japan Tokyo Sungoliath
Atsushi Sakate Hooker (1993-06-21) 21 June 1993 37 Japan Saitama Wild Knights
Asaeli Ai Valu Prop (1989-05-07) 7 May 1989 26 Japan Saitama Wild Knights
Sione Halasili Prop (1999-10-15) 15 October 1999 0 Japan Yokohama Canon Eagles
Keita Inagaki Prop (1990-06-02) 2 June 1990 49 Japan Saitama Wild Knights
Koo Ji-won Prop (1994-07-20) 20 July 1994 25 Japan Kobelco Kobe Steelers
Shinnosuke Kakinaga Prop (1991-12-19) 19 December 1991 12 Japan Tokyo Sungoliath
Craig Millar Prop (1990-10-29) 29 October 1990 13 Japan Saitama Wild Knights
Jack Cornelsen Lock (1994-10-13) 13 October 1994 16 Japan Saitama Wild Knights
Warner Dearns Lock (2002-04-11) 11 April 2002 7 Japan Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo
Amato Fakatava Lock (1994-12-07) 7 December 1994 3 Japan Black Rams Tokyo
Amanaki Saumaki Lock (1997-03-08) 8 March 1997 1 Japan Kobelco Kobe Steelers
Shota Fukui Back row (1999-09-28) 28 September 1999 2 Japan Saitama Wild Knights
Ben Gunter Back row (1997-10-24) 24 October 1997 8 Japan Saitama Wild Knights
Kazuki Himeno Back row (1994-07-27) 27 July 1994 29 Japan Toyota Verblitz
Lappies Labuschagné Back row (1989-01-11) 11 January 1989 16 Japan Kubota Spears
Michael Leitch Back row (1988-10-07) 7 October 1988 80 Japan Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo
Kanji Shimokawa Back row (1999-01-17) 17 January 1999 2 Japan Tokyo Sungoliath
Kenta Fukuda Scrum-half (1996-12-19) 19 December 1996 0 Japan Toyota Verblitz
Yutaka Nagare Scrum-half (1992-09-04) 4 September 1992 34 Japan Tokyo Sungoliath
Naoto Saito Scrum-half (1997-08-26) 26 August 1997 15 Japan Tokyo Sungoliath
Jumpei Ogura Fly-half (1992-07-11) 11 July 1992 4 Japan Yokohama Canon Eagles
Rikiya Matsuda Fly-half (1994-05-03) 3 May 1994 33 Japan Saitama Wild Knights
Lee Seung-sin Fly-half (2001-01-13) 13 January 2001 10 Japan Kobelco Kobe Steelers
Ryoto Nakamura Centre (1991-06-03) 3 June 1991 35 Japan Tokyo Sungoliath
Dylan Riley Centre (1997-05-02) 2 May 1997 14 Japan Saitama Wild Knights
Tomoki Osada Centre (1999-11-25) 25 November 1999 4 Japan Saitama Wild Knights
Siosaia Fifita Wing (1998-12-20) 20 December 1998 12 Japan Hanazono Kintetsu Liners
Lomano Lemeki Wing (1989-01-20) 20 January 1989 16 Japan Green Rockets Tokatsu
Semisi Masirewa Wing (1992-06-09) 9 June 1992 5 Japan Hanazono Kintetsu Liners
Jone Naikabula Wing (1994-04-12) 12 April 1994 4 Japan Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo
Kotaro Matsushima Fullback (1993-02-26) 26 February 1993 51 Japan Tokyo Sungoliath

Notable former players

Player records (career)

Most matches
# Player Pos Span Mat Start Sub Won Lost Draw %
1Hitoshi OnoLock2004–20169878206035363
2Michael LeitchFlanker2008–847865131267
3Hirotoki OnozawaWing2001–2013817384137352
4Yukio MotokiCentre1991–2005797363147140
5Kensuke HatakeyamaProp2008–20167857215027165
6Shota HorieHooker2009–7663134727267
7Fumiaki TanakaScrum-half2008–20197560154627263
8Luke ThompsonLock2007–20197159124425263
9Yu TamuraFly-half2012–7053174227164
10Takashi KikutaniNumber 82005–20146857114126161

Last updated: Japan vs Argentina, 8 October 2023. Statistics include officially capped matches only.[37]

Most tries
# Player Pos Span Mat Start Sub Pts Tries
1Daisuke OhataWing1996–20065855334569
2Hirotoki OnozawaWing2001–20138173827555
3Takashi KikutaniNumber 82005–201468571116032
4Terunori MasuhoWing1991–20014746114729
5Yoshikazu FujitaWing2012–201730201013026
6Kenki FukuokaWing2013–20193831712525
7Kotaro MatsushimaFullback2014–5548711523
8Koliniasi HolaniNumber 82008–20164438611022
Michael LeitchFlanker2008–8478611022
10Alisi TupuaileiCentre2009–20112013710521

Last updated: Japan vs Argentina, 8 October 2023. Statistics include officially capped matches only.[38]

Most points
# Player Pos Span Mat Pts Tries Conv Pens Drop
1Ayumu GoromaruFullback2005–20155670818162980
2Keiji HiroseFly-half1994–200540422577792
3Toru KuriharaWing2000–2003283472071350
4Daisuke OhataWing1996–20065834569000
5Yu TamuraFly-half2012–70303564500
6James ArlidgeFly-half2007–201132286878282
7Hirotoki OnozawaWing2001–20138127555000
8Shaun WebbFly-half2008–201135198184560
9Ryan NicholasCentre2008–201238193953140
10Takashi KikutaniNumber 82005–20146816032000

Last updated: Japan vs Argentina, 8 October 2023. Statistics include officially capped matches only.[39]

Most matches as captain
# Player Pos Span Mat Won Lost Draw % Pts Tries
1Takuro MiuchiNumber 82002–2008451727138.88306
2Michael LeitchFlanker2014–352212168.185511
3Takashi KikutaniNumber 82008–2013342112163.2311022
4Toshiaki HiroseWing2012–201318135072.22459
5Masahiro KundaHooker1993–19981459035.7100
6Yukio MotokiCentre1996–19971248033.3351
7Seiji HiraoCentre1989–19911156045.4500
8Toshiyuki HayashiLock1986–19871018115.0000
Andrew McCormickCentre1998–19991046040.0051
Akira YokoiCentre1970–19741036135.0000

Last updated: Japan vs Argentina, 8 October 2023. Statistics include officially capped matches only.[40]

Player records (match)

Most points in a match
# Player Pos Pts Tries Conv Pens Drop Opposition Venue Date
1Toru KuriharaWing6061500 Chinese TaipeiChinese Taipei Tainan21 July 2002
2Daisuke OhataWing408000 Chinese TaipeiJapan Tokyo21 July 2002
3Ayumu GoromaruFullback3711600 Sri LankaJapan Nagoya10/05/2014
4Ayumu GoromaruFullback3611410 PhilippinesJapan Fukuoka20 April 2013
5Toru KuriharaWing3521110 South KoreaJapan Tokyo16 June 2002
6Keiji HiroseFly-half341190 TongaJapan Tokyo08/05/1999
7Ayumu GoromaruFullback3221100 KazakhstanKazakhstan Almaty28 April 2012
8Keiji HiroseFly-half3101130 Hong KongJapan Tokyo08/05/2005
94 players on 30 points

Last updated: Japan vs Argentina, 8 October 2023. Statistics include officially capped matches only.[41]

Most tries in a match
# Player Pos Pts Tries Conv Pens Drop Opposition Venue Date
1Daisuke OhataWing408000 Chinese TaipeiJapan Tokyo07/07/2002
2Toru KuriharaWing6061500 Chinese TaipeiChinese Taipei Tainan21 July 2002
Daisuke OhataWing306000 Hong KongJapan Tokyo08/05/2005
Yoshikazu FujitaWing306000 United Arab EmiratesJapan Fukuoka05/05/2012
5Terunori MasuhoWing255000 Chinese TaipeiSingapore Singapore27 October 1998
Kosuke EndoWing255000 South KoreaSouth Korea Daegu01/05/2010
Alisi TupuaileiCentre255000 Sri LankaSri Lanka Colombo21 May 2011
Kentaro KodamaWing255000 South KoreaJapan Kanagawa30 April 2016
910 players on 4 tries

Last updated: Japan vs Argentina, 8 October 2023. Statistics include officially capped matches only.[42]

Tournament history

Rugby World Cup
Main article: Japan at the Rugby World Cup

Japan has participated in the Rugby World Cup since the tournament's inception in 1987, and has made appearances in all tournaments thus far. Despite this, they experienced little success until the 2015 tournament, with just one victory over Zimbabwe in 1991, and two draws with Canada in 2007 and 2011. In 2015 they defeated South Africa with a score of 34–32, their first win since 1991 against Zimbabwe, which they followed up with victories over Samoa and the United States in the same pool stage, but despite their 3–1 record failed to reach the knockout round.

They were the home team for the 2019 Rugby World Cup, which was held in Japan.

In the 2019 World Cup, Japan were drawn in Group A alongside Ireland, Russia, Samoa, and Scotland. After a nervy opening night win against Russia (30–10),[43] Japan went on to beat Ireland 19–12,[44] a huge upset and a result few predicted. Their third group game against Samoa ended in another win, this time 38–19, while also securing a highly important bonus point (for scoring four or more tries).[45]

In the highly anticipated final group game against Scotland, both teams needed to win to progress to the knockout stages at the expense of the other. The match went ahead despite pre-game worries that it would have to be cancelled due to the ongoing issues caused by Typhoon Hagibis. The pre-tournament rules stated that if the typhoon was sufficient enough to intervene, the game would be cancelled, and the result declared a draw. This controversial rule[46] would have allowed Japan to progress by default due to previous results.

After final safety checks, the game was allowed to commence. Japan edged out Scotland 28–21 to register their second shock win of the tournament. They also became the first Asian nation to top their group at a Rugby World Cup, and the first Asian team to progress to the knockout stages.[47]

Japan played South Africa in the quarter-finals in Tokyo on Sunday 20 October 2019, kick off 19:15 JST. They kept pace with South Africa in the first half, but two tries and three penalties in the second half for South Africa put the game out of reach and Japan lost 26–3.[48]

Rugby World Cup Qualification
Year Round Pld W D L PF PA Squad Pos Pld W D L PF PA
New Zealand Australia 1987 Pool Stage 3 0 0 3 48 123 Squad Invited
England France Ireland Scotland Wales 1991 Pool Stage 3 1 0 2 77 87 Squad 2nd 3 2 0 1 65 63
South Africa 1995 Pool Stage 3 0 0 3 55 252 Squad 1st 4 4 0 0 252 28
Wales 1999 Pool Stage 3 0 0 3 36 140 Squad 1st 3 3 0 0 221 25
Australia 2003 Pool Stage 4 0 0 4 79 163 Squad 1st 4 4 0 0 420 47
France 2007 Pool Stage 4 0 1 3 64 210 Squad 1st 6 6 0 0 379 60
New Zealand 2011 Pool Stage 4 0 1 3 69 184 Squad 1st 4 4 0 0 326 30
England 2015 Pool Stage 4 3 0 1 98 100 Squad 1st 4 4 0 0 316 8
Japan 2019 Quarter-finals 5 4 0 1 118 88 Squad Automatically qualified
France 2023 Pool Stage 4 2 0 2 109 107 Squad Automatically qualified
Total Quarter-finals 37 10 2 25 753 1454 28 27 0 1 1979 261
  Champions    Runners-up    Third place    Fourth place Home venue

Pacific Nations Cup
See also: Pacific Nations Cup
Pacific Nations Cup Match at Chichibunomiya Stadium on 17 June 2012, in which Samoa defeated Japan 27–26
TournamentWonDrawnLostJapan finish
20060045th / 5
20071046th / 6
20081045th / 6
20091034th / 5
20102013rd / 4
20112011st / 4
20120034th / 4
20132024th / 5
20142001st / 3
20151024th / 6
20193001st / 6
20231023rd / 4
Total160263 titles

Asia Rugby Championship
See also: Asia Rugby Championship
Asia Rugby Championship record
Year Round P W D L PF PA
1969 JapanChampions440019135
1970 ThailandChampions330011139
1972 Hong KongChampions44001674
1974 Sri LankaChampions440014037
1976 JapanChampions440019421
1978 MalaysiaChampions33009730
1980 TaiwanChampions440026521
1982 SingaporeRunner-up430111230
1984 JapanChampions440020223
1986 ThailandRunner-up420223254
1988 Hong KongRunner-up430122343
1990 Sri LankaRunner-up430120034
1992 Hong KongChampions330022512
1994 MalaysiaChampions330022617
1996 TaiwanChampions220024222
1998 SingaporeChampions330022125
2000 JapanChampions330016441
2002 ThailandRunner-up32019354
2004 Hong KongChampions22006912
2006–07 Hong KongChampions22001063
2008 Hong Kong Japan South Korea Kazakhstan United Arab Emirates QatarChampions440031058
2009 Hong Kong Japan South Korea Kazakhstan SingaporeChampions440027140
2010 Hong Kong Japan South Korea Kazakhstan United Arab Emirates BahrainChampions440032630
2011 Hong Kong Japan Sri Lanka Kazakhstan United Arab EmiratesChampions440030735
2012 Hong Kong Japan South Korea Kazakhstan United Arab EmiratesChampions440031211
2013 Hong Kong Japan South Korea Philippines United Arab EmiratesChampions44003168
2014 Hong Kong Japan South Korea Philippines Sri LankaChampions440034233
2015 Hong Kong Japan South KoreaChampions431016340
2016 Hong Kong Japan South KoreaChampions440024223
2017 Hong Kong Japan South KoreaChampions440017256
Total 25 titles 107 100 1 6 6286 891

See also

References
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