Japan national rugby union team
Template:Short description Template:Redirect Template:About Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox national rugby team The Japan national rugby union team, also known as the Cherry Blossoms, the Brave Blossoms (Template:Langx), or simply Sakura, represents Japan in men's international rugby union. Japan is traditionally the strongest rugby union power in Asia and has experienced 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 (PNC) and previously in the Asia Rugby Championship (ARC). They have also participated in every Rugby World Cup (RWC) since the tournament began in 1987, and hosted the event in 2019.
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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
History
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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
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 Tetsunosuke Onishi, a professor of Waseda University) 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 Template:Nrut and Template:Nrut, 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 Template:Nrut 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 Template:Nrut, but his first few matches in charge after that were promising with wins over Template:Nrut and Template:Nrut to win the Super Powers Cup and pushed Template:Nrut close losing 32–19.
However, in November 2004, Japan went on a disastrous tour to Europe where they were embarrassingly thrashed 100–8 by Template:Nrut and 98–0 by Template:Nrut and also were comfortably defeated by Template:Nrut. 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 Template:Nrut 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)
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 Template:Nrut 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 Template:Nrut 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Assistant coach Osamu Ota took over as caretaker coach for two Rugby World Cup qualifiers in November 2006.
Under John Kirwan (2007–2011)
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 Template:Nrut 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 Template:Nrut who they had beaten four times in a row since 2008, and drawing again to Template:Nrut 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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.<ref name="http://www.abc.net">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="dailytelegraph">Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref name="Scott Wisemantel">Template:Cite web</ref>
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".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Under Jamie Joseph (2016–2023)
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<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Cbignore</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
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".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The current version of the emblem, depicting three full-bloomed Sakura, was dated 1952, when Japan played against Oxford University XV<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> at Hanazono, Higashiosaka, on 1 October 1952.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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 1997 is Canterbury. Before that, the kits were manufactured by Japanese company Sceptre between 1987 and 1995<ref>Template:Cite AV media</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and in 1982, by Suzuki Sports.<ref>Template:Cite tweet</ref> 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 |
|---|---|
| 1982 | Suzuki Sports |
| 1987–1995 | Sceptre |
| 1997–present | Canterbury |
Home kit
| Template:Football kit box | Template:Football kit box | Template:Football kit box | Template:Football kit box |
| Template:Football kit box | Template:Football kit box | Template:Football kit box |
Away kit
| Template:Football kit box | Template:Football kit box | Template:Football kit box | Template:Football kit box |
| Template:Football kit box | Template:Football kit box | Template:Football kit box |
List of matches
Wins against Tier 1 nations
Template:Rugbybox collapsible2 Template:Rugbybox collapsible2 Template:Rugbybox collapsible2 Template:Rugbybox collapsible2 Template:Rugbybox collapsible2 Template:Rugbybox collapsible2 Template:Rugbybox collapsible2 Template:Rugbybox collapsible2 Template:Rugbybox collapsible2 Template:Rugbybox collapsible2 Additionally, Japan tied Template:Ru 23–23 in Paris, 25 November 2017.<ref>France and Japan draw 23–23 in Paris</ref>
Overall
Template:World Rugby Rankings Below is table of the representative rugby matches played by a Japan national XV to 18 November 2025.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
| Opponent | Played | Won | Lost | Drawn | Win % | For | Aga | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Template:Flagicon image Arabian Gulf | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 100.0% | 256 | 20 | +236 |
| Template:Ru | 7 | 1 | 6 | 0 | {{#expr:1/6*100 round 2}}% | 186 | 298 | −112 |
| Template:Ru | 7 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0.0% | 126 | 334 | −208 |
| Template:RuA | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0.0% | 51 | 242 | −191 |
| Template:Flagicon Australian Universities | 6 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 33.3% | 60 | 90 | −30 |
| Template:Flagicon Emerging Wallabies | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 50.0% | 41 | 39 | +2 |
| Template:Flag | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.0% | 10 | 28 | -18 |
| Template:Ru | 27 | 17 | 8 | 2 | {{#expr:17/27*100 round 2}}% | 724 | 624 | +100 |
| Template:Flagicon British Columbia Bears | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 33.3% | 103 | 82 | +21 |
| Template:Ru | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.0% | 42 | 12 | +30 |
| Template:Ru | 6 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0.0% | 78 | 292 | −214 |
| Template:Ru | 5 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0.0% | 71 | 131 | −60 |
| Template:RuA | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0.0% | 35 | 147 | −112 |
| Template:Flagicon England Students | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.0% | 0 | 43 | −43 |
| Template:Flagicon England Under-23's | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0.0% | 25 | 77 | −52 |
| Template:Flagicon Cambridge University | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 25.0% | 52 | 110 | −58 |
| Template:Flagicon Oxford University | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0.0% | 28 | 130 | −102 |
| Template:Flagicon Oxford and Cambridge | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0.0% | 30 | 113 | −83 |
| Template:Ru | 21 | 4 | 17 | 0 | {{#expr:4/21*100 round 2}}% | 402 | 597 | −195 |
| Template:Ru | 8 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 0.0% | 158 | 300 | −142 |
| Template:Ru | 6 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0.0% | 31 | 272 | −241 |
| Template:Ru | 7 | 5 | 2 | 0 | {{#expr:5/7*100 round 2}}% | 173 | 121 | +52 |
| Template:Ru | 29 | 24 | 4 | 1 | 82.8% | 1175 | 370 | +805 |
| Template:Ru | 11 | 1 | 10 | 0 | 9.1% | 183 | 488 | −305 |
| Template:Ru | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0.0% | 28 | 81 | −53 |
| Template:Flagicon Ireland Students | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.0% | 12 | 24 | −12 |
| Template:Ru | 10 | 2 | 8 | 0 | {{#expr:2/10*100 round 2}}% | 181 | 325 | −144 |
| Template:Ru | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 100.0% | 418 | 23 | +395 |
| Template:Ru | 36 | 29 | 6 | 1 | 80.1% | 1614 | 517 | +1097 |
| Template:Ru | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.0% | 13 | 15 | −2 |
| Template:Ru | 6 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0.0% | 111 | 453 | −342 |
| Template:Ru | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0.0% | 4 | 180 | −176 |
| Template:RuA | 8 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 12.5% | 98 | 337 | −239 |
| Template:Ru | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.0% | 22 | 65 | −43 |
| Template:Flagicon New Zealand Universities | 15 | 2 | 11 | 2 | 13.3% | 221 | 417 | −196 |
| Template:Ru | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 100.0% | 220 | 10 | +210 |
| Template:Ru | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.0% | 38 | 25 | +13 |
| Template:Flagicon Queensland Reds | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.0% | 6 | 42 | −36 |
| Template:Ru | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 83.3% | 152 | 119 | +33 |
| Template:Ru | 7 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 83.3% | 299 | 127 | +172 |
| Template:Ru | 19 | 7 | 12 | 0 | {{#expr:7/19*100 round 2}}% | 410 | 574 | −164 |
| Template:Ru | 9 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 11.1% | 132 | 363 | −231 |
| Template:Ru | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 25.0% | 64 | 165 | −101 |
| Template:Ru | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.0% | 45 | 15 | +30 |
| Template:Ru | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 25% | 51 | 160 | −109 |
| Template:Ru | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 100.0% | 114 | 43 | +71 |
| Template:Ru | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 100.0% | 266 | 29 | +237 |
| Template:Ru | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.0% | 42 | 11 | +31 |
| Template:Ru | 20 | 11 | 9 | 0 | {{#expr:11/20*100 round 2}}% | 542 | 493 | +49 |
| Template:Ru | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 100.0% | 310 | 6 | +304 |
| Template:Ru | 26 | 12 | 13 | 1 | {{#expr:12/26*100 round 2}}% | 648 | 720 | −72 |
| Template:Ru | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | {{#expr:5/6*100 round 2}}% | 201 | 74 | +127 |
| Template:Ru | 13 | 2 | 11 | 0 | {{#expr:2/13*100 round 2}}% | 228 | 600 | −372 |
| Template:Ru | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0.0% | 56 | 229 | −173 |
| Template:Flagicon Welsh Clubs | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.0% | 9 | 63 | −54 |
| Template:Ru | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.0% | 52 | 8 | +44 |
| Total | 396 | 167 | 218 | 11 | {{#expr:167/396*100 round 2}}% | 10,647 | 11,273 | −626 |
Coaches
As of 21 September 2024
| Name | Years | Tests | Won | Lost | Draw | Win % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Template:Flagdeco Shigeru Kayama | 1930−1934 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 60.0% |
| Template:Flagdeco Chuji Kitajima | 1936, 1956 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0.0% |
| Template:Flagdeco Takenosuke Okumura | 1952−1953 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0.0% |
| Template:Flagdeco Kozo Nishino | 1958 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0.0% |
| Template:Flagdeco Tomoo Chiba | 1959 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0.0% |
| Template:Flagdeco Masao Wada | 1959 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0.0% |
| Template:Flagdeco Yasujiro Kasai | 1963 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100% |
| Template:Flagdeco Tetsunosuke Onishi | 1966−1971 | 12 | 4 | 8 | 0 | 33.3% |
| Template:Flagdeco Hitoshi Oka | 1972, 1975, 1985−1986 | 16 | 3 | 12 | 1 | 18.8% |
| Template:Flagdeco Akira Yokoi | 1972, 1976, 1978−1979 | 9 | 1 | 7 | 1 | 11.1% |
| Template:Flagdeco Ryo Saito | 1974, 1976−1978, 1980−1981 | 15 | 3 | 11 | 1 | 20.0% |
| Template:Flagdeco Hiroshi Hibino | 1976, 1982−1984, 1987−1988 | 17 | 4 | 13 | 0 | 23.5% |
| Template:Flagdeco Katsumi Miyaji | 1978, 1984, 1987 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 40.0% |
| Template:Flagdeco Ryozo Imazato | 1979 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.0% |
| Template:Flagdeco Iwao Yamamoto | 1980, 1982, 1996 | 10 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 50.0% |
| Template:Flagdeco Hiroaki Shukuzawa | 1989−1991 | 14 | 5 | 9 | 0 | 35.7% |
| Template:Flagdeco Osamu Koyabu | 1992−1995 | 14 | 6 | 8 | 0 | 42.9% |
| Template:Flagdeco Seiji Hirao | 1997−2000 | 33 | 13 | 20 | 0 | 39.4% |
| Template:Flagdeco Shogo Mukai | 2001−2003 | 24 | 9 | 15 | 0 | 37.5% |
| Template:Flagdeco Mitsutake Hagimoto | 2004−2005 | 15 | 5 | 9 | 1 | 33.3% |
| Template:Flagdeco Jean-Pierre Élissalde | 2005−2006 | 9 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 44.4% |
| Template:Flagdeco Osamu Ota | 2006 (Caretaker) | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 100% |
| Template:Flagdeco John Kirwan | 2007−2011 | 55 | 31 | 22 | 2 | 56.4% |
| Template:Flagdeco Eddie Jones | 2012−2015 | 44 | 33 | 11 | 0 | 75.0% |
| Template:Flagdeco Scott Wisemantel | 2013 (Caretaker)<ref name="Scott Wisemantel"/> | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 50.0% |
| Template:Flagdeco Ryuji Nakatake | 2016 (Interim)<ref name="Japan 2016 Interim coach">Template:Cite web</ref> | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 100% |
| Template:Flagdeco Mark Hammett | 2016 (Interim)<ref name="Japan 2016 Interim coach"/> | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 33.3% |
| Template:FlagdecoTemplate:Flagdeco Jamie Joseph | 2016−2023<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | 50 | 23 | 26 | 1 | 46.0% |
| Template:Flagdeco Eddie Jones | 2023− | 7 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 42.9% |
Award winners
The following Japan head coaches have been recognised at the World Rugby Awards since 2001:<ref name="World Rugby Award winners">Template:Cite news</ref>
| Year | Nominees | Winners |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Template:Flagicon Eddie Jones | — |
| 2019 | Template:FlagiconTemplate:Flagicon Jamie Joseph |
Current squad
On 29 October, Japan named a 38-player squad ahead of their European 2025 Autumn fixtures.<ref>Announcement of the participating players for the Japan National Team's European Tour "Lipovitan D Tour 2025"</ref>
Head Coach: Template:Flagdeco Eddie Jones
- Caps Updated: 15 November 2025 (after Wales v Japan)
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Notable former players
- Yoshihiro Sakata, 16 caps, member of World Rugby Hall of Fame
- Toshiyuki Hayashi, legendary lock with Kobe Steel, Oxford and Japan.
- Seiji Hirao, centre, former Japan captain and coach of Japan (RWC1999).
- Keiji Hirose, former fly-half, and previously the leading points scorer for Japan (now second).
- Kensuke Iwabuchi, the first Japanese to play professional rugby in England (for Saracens), also technical adviser to Sanix.
- Toru Kurihara, world record points scorer in one match, 60 points scored individually (6 Tries, 15 conversions).
- Sinali Latu, now coach of Daito Bunka University RFC.
- Yuji Matsuo, fly-half (stand-off), Shin-Nittetsu Kamaishi.
- Andrew Miller, fly-half for Kobe Steel and Japan.
- Takuro Miuchi, former number 8 and captain at the 2007 Rugby World Cup.
- Wataru Murata, player of Yamaha Jubilo.
- Daisuke Ohata, world record try scorer (69 tries throughout his career) member of World Rugby Hall of Fame
- Atsushi Oyagi, lock, Kobe Steel and Japan, now a TV personality ("talento").
- Kenzo Suzuki, better known as a professional wrestler, Suzuki was capped for the national team.
- Yoshihito Yoshida, world class Japanese wing, known especially on the Sevens circuit.
- Ayumu Goromaru, former fullback and the leading points scorer for Japan.
- Kenki Fukuoka, former wing of Japan, known for his speed and sidesteps.
Player records (career)
Most matches
| # | Player | Pos | Span | Mat | Start | Sub | Won | Lost | Draw | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hitoshi Ono | Lock | 2004–2016 | 98 | 78 | 20 | 60 | 35 | 3 | 63 |
| 2 | Michael Leitch | Flanker | 2008– | 92 | 85 | 7 | 52 | 38 | 2 | 56 |
| 3 | Hirotoki Onozawa | Wing | 2001–2013 | 81 | 73 | 8 | 41 | 37 | 3 | 52 |
| 4 | Yukio Motoki | Centre | 1991–2005 | 79 | 73 | 6 | 31 | 47 | 1 | 40 |
| 5 | Kensuke Hatakeyama | Prop | 2008–2016 | 78 | 57 | 21 | 50 | 27 | 1 | 65 |
| 6 | Shota Horie | Hooker | 2009–2023 | 76 | 63 | 13 | 47 | 27 | 2 | 67 |
| 7 | Fumiaki Tanaka | Scrum-half | 2008–2019 | 75 | 60 | 15 | 46 | 27 | 2 | 63 |
| 8 | Luke Thompson | Lock | 2007–2019 | 71 | 59 | 12 | 44 | 25 | 2 | 63 |
| 9 | Yu Tamura | Fly-half | 2012–2022 | 70 | 53 | 17 | 42 | 27 | 1 | 64 |
| 10 | Takashi Kikutani | Number 8 | 2005–2014 | 68 | 57 | 11 | 41 | 26 | 1 | 61 |
Template:Small<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Most tries
| # | Player | Pos | Span | Mat | Start | Sub | Pts | Tries |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Daisuke Ohata | Wing | 1996–2006 | 58 | 55 | 3 | 345 | 69 |
| 2 | Hirotoki Onozawa | Wing | 2001–2013 | 81 | 73 | 8 | 275 | 55 |
| 3 | Takashi Kikutani | Number 8 | 2005–2014 | 68 | 57 | 11 | 160 | 32 |
| 4 | Terunori Masuho | Wing | 1991–2001 | 47 | 46 | 1 | 147 | 29 |
| 5 | Yoshikazu Fujita | Wing | 2012–2017 | 30 | 20 | 10 | 130 | 26 |
| 6 | Kenki Fukuoka | Wing | 2013–2019 | 38 | 31 | 7 | 125 | 25 |
| 7 | Kotaro Matsushima | Fullback | 2014–2023 | 55 | 48 | 7 | 115 | 23 |
| 8 | Koliniasi Holani | Number 8 | 2008–2016 | 44 | 38 | 6 | 110 | 22 |
| Michael Leitch | Flanker | 2008– | 92 | 85 | 7 | 110 | 22 | |
| 10 | Alisi Tupuailei | Centre | 2009–2011 | 20 | 13 | 7 | 105 | 21 |
Template:Small<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Most points
| # | Player | Pos | Span | Mat | Pts | Tries | Conv | Pens | Drop |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ayumu Goromaru | Fullback | 2005–2015 | 56 | 708 | 18 | 162 | 98 | 0 |
| 2 | Keiji Hirose | Fly-half | 1994–2005 | 40 | 422 | 5 | 77 | 79 | 2 |
| 3 | Toru Kurihara | Wing | 2000–2003 | 28 | 347 | 20 | 71 | 35 | 0 |
| 4 | Daisuke Ohata | Wing | 1996–2006 | 58 | 345 | 69 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 5 | Yu Tamura | Fly-half | 2012–2022 | 70 | 303 | 5 | 64 | 50 | 0 |
| 6 | James Arlidge | Fly-half | 2007–2011 | 32 | 286 | 8 | 78 | 28 | 2 |
| 7 | Hirotoki Onozawa | Wing | 2001–2013 | 81 | 275 | 55 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 8 | Lee Seung-Sin | Fly-Half | 2022– | 28 | 249 | 2 | 65 | 33 | 0 |
| 9 | Shaun Webb | Fly-half | 2008–2011 | 35 | 198 | 18 | 45 | 6 | 0 |
| 10 | Ryan Nicholas | Centre | 2008–2012 | 38 | 193 | 9 | 53 | 14 | 0 |
Template:Small<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Most matches as captain
| # | Player | Pos | Span | Mat | Won | Lost | Draw | % | Pts | Tries |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Takuro Miuchi | Number 8 | 2002–2008 | 45 | 17 | 27 | 1 | 38.88 | 30 | 6 |
| 2 | Michael Leitch | Flanker | 2014– | 40 | 23 | 16 | 1 | 57.50 | 55 | 11 |
| 3 | Takashi Kikutani | Number 8 | 2008–2013 | 34 | 21 | 12 | 1 | 63.23 | 110 | 22 |
| 4 | Toshiaki Hirose | Wing | 2012–2013 | 18 | 13 | 5 | 0 | 72.22 | 45 | 9 |
| 5 | Masahiro Kunda | Hooker | 1993–1998 | 14 | 5 | 9 | 0 | 35.71 | 0 | 0 |
| 6 | Yukio Motoki | Centre | 1996–1997 | 12 | 4 | 8 | 0 | 33.33 | 5 | 1 |
| 7 | Seiji Hirao | Centre | 1989–1991 | 11 | 5 | 6 | 0 | 45.45 | 0 | 0 |
| 8 | Toshiyuki Hayashi | Lock | 1986–1987 | 10 | 1 | 8 | 1 | 15.00 | 0 | 0 |
| Andrew McCormick | Centre | 1998–1999 | 10 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 40.00 | 5 | 1 | |
| Akira Yokoi | Centre | 1970–1974 | 10 | 3 | 6 | 1 | 35.00 | 0 | 0 |
Template:Small<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Player records (match)
Most points in a match
| # | Player | Pos | Pts | Tries | Conv | Pens | Drop | Opposition | Venue | Date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Toru Kurihara | Wing | 60 | 6 | 15 | 0 | 0 | Template:Ru | Template:Flagicon Tainan | 21 July 2002 | |
| 2 | Daisuke Ohata | Wing | 40 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Template:Ru | Template:Flagicon Tokyo | 21 July 2002 | |
| 3 | Ayumu Goromaru | Fullback | 37 | 1 | 16 | 0 | 0 | Template:Ru | Template:Flagicon Nagoya | 10/05/2014 | |
| 4 | Ayumu Goromaru | Fullback | 36 | 1 | 14 | 1 | 0 | Template:Ru | Template:Flagicon Fukuoka | 20 April 2013 | |
| 5 | Toru Kurihara | Wing | 35 | 2 | 11 | 1 | 0 | Template:Ru | Template:Flagicon Tokyo | 16 June 2002 | |
| 6 | Keiji Hirose | Fly-half | 34 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 0 | Template:Ru | Template:Flagicon Tokyo | 08/05/1999 | |
| 7 | Ayumu Goromaru | Fullback | 32 | 2 | 11 | 0 | 0 | Template:Ru | Template:Flagicon Almaty | 28 April 2012 | |
| 8 | Keiji Hirose | Fly-half | 31 | 0 | 11 | 3 | 0 | Template:Ru | Template:Flagicon Tokyo | 08/05/2005 | |
| 9 | 4 players on 30 points | ||||||||||
Template:Small<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Most tries in a match
| # | Player | Pos | Pts | Tries | Conv | Pens | Drop | Opposition | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Daisuke Ohata | Wing | 40 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Template:Ru | Template:Flagicon Tokyo | 07/07/2002 |
| 2 | Toru Kurihara | Wing | 60 | 6 | 15 | 0 | 0 | Template:Ru | Template:Flagicon Tainan | 21 July 2002 |
| Daisuke Ohata | Wing | 30 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Template:Ru | Template:Flagicon Tokyo | 08/05/2005 | |
| Yoshikazu Fujita | Wing | 30 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Template:Ru | Template:Flagicon Fukuoka | 05/05/2012 | |
| 5 | Terunori Masuho | Wing | 25 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Template:Ru | Template:Flagicon Singapore | 27 October 1998 |
| Kosuke Endo | Wing | 25 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Template:Ru | Template:Flagicon Daegu | 01/05/2010 | |
| Alisi Tupuailei | Centre | 25 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Template:Ru | Template:Flagicon Colombo | 21 May 2011 | |
| Kentaro Kodama | Wing | 25 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Template:Ru | Template:Flagicon Kanagawa | 30 April 2016 | |
| 9 | 10 players on 4 tries | |||||||||
Template:Small<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Tournament history
Rugby World Cup
Template:Main 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),<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Japan went on to beat Ireland 19–12,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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).<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
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 to intervene, the game would be cancelled, and the result declared a draw. This controversial rule<ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Cbignore</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
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.<ref name=quarter>Template:Cite news</ref>
Template:Japan Rugby World Cup record
Pacific Nations Cup
| style="background:white; color:#E00000; Template:Box-shadow border" colspan=10| Template:Colored link Template:Color | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Finish/Round | Template:Tooltip | Template:Tooltip | Template:Tooltip | Template:Tooltip | Template:Tooltip | Template:Tooltip | Squad | Head coach |
| 2006 | 5th of 5 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 48 | 177 | Template:N/A | J-P Élissalde |
| 2007 | 6th of 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 51 | 182 | Template:N/A | J. Kirwan |
| 2008 | 5th of 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 121 | 181 | Template:N/A | |
| 2009 | 4th of 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 96 | 145 | Template:N/A | |
| 2010 | 3rd of 4 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 65 | 68 | Template:N/A | |
| 2011 | Champions | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 67 | 74 | Template:N/A | |
| 2012 | 4th of 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 65 | 76 | Template:N/A | E. Jones |
| 2013 | 4th of 5 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 79 | 82 | Squad | |
| 2014 | ChampionsTemplate:Efn | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 71 | 54 | Squad | |
| 2015 | 4th of 6 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 80 | 87 | Squad | |
| 2019 | Champions | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 109 | 48 | Squad | J. Joseph |
| 2024 | 2nd of 6 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 162 | 120 | Squad | E. Jones |
| 2025 | 2nd of 6 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 193 | 93 | Squad | E. Jones |
| style="background:white; color:#E00000; Template:Box-shadow border"| Total | style="background:white; color:#E00000; Template:Box-shadow border"| Champions (3) | style="background:white; color:#E00000; Template:Box-shadow border"| 48 | style="background:white; color:#E00000; Template:Box-shadow border"| 21 | style="background:white; color:#E00000; Template:Box-shadow border"| 0 | style="background:white; color:#E00000; Template:Box-shadow border"| 27 | style="background:white; color:#E00000; Template:Box-shadow border"| 1,207 | style="background:white; color:#E00000; Template:Box-shadow border"| 1,387 | colspan=2 style="background:white; color:#E00000;" Template:N/A |
Asia Rugby Championship
See also
- Rugby union in Japan
- List of Japan national rugby union test matches
- Japan women's national rugby union team
Notes
References
External links
- Template:Official website Template:In lang
- 41st University Rugby Championship
- Japanese rugby union news from Planet Rugby Template:Webarchive
Template:Japan national rugby union team Template:Asia Rugby Championship winners Template:Rugby union in Japan Template:Pacific Nations Cup Template:National rugby teams Template:Japan Professional Sports Grand Prize Template:JapanNationalTeams