Japan national rugby union team

{{Main|Rugby union in Japan}}

File:Rugby football japan.jpg, 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.{{cite news|last1=Galbraith|first1=Mike|title=1866 and all that: the untold early history of rugby in Japan|url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2014/03/15/lifestyle/1866-and-all-that-the-untold-early-history-of-rugby-in-japan/#.VOwbNYbXerU|work=The Japan Times|date=15 March 2014}} 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.{{cite book|last1=Young|first1=Keith|title=Complete Rugby Union Compendium|date=2015|publisher=Arena Sport|location=Edinburgh|isbn=978-1-909715-34-9|chapter=Japan}}

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.

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 {{nrut|Scotland}} and {{nrut|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.

After Shogo Mukai left after the 2003 Rugby World Cup, the JRFU initially tried to appoint Eddie Jones from his post with {{nrut|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 {{nrut|Korea}}, but his first few matches in charge after that were promising with wins over {{nrut|Russia}} and {{nrut|Canada}} to win the Super Powers Cup and pushed {{nrut|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 {{nrut|Scotland}} and 98–0 by {{nrut|Wales}} and also were comfortably defeated by {{nrut|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 {{nrut|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.

File:Japan v Tonga at Kitakyushu.JPG 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 {{nrut|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 {{nrut|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.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/5384774.stm|title=Elissalde sacked as Japan coach|date=27 September 2006 }} Assistant coach Osamu Ota took over as caretaker coach for two Rugby World Cup qualifiers in November 2006.

File:Japan v Australia A IRB Pac Nations 2008 June 8.JPG

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 {{nrut|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 {{nrut|Tonga}} who they had beaten four times in a row since 2008, and drawing again to {{nrut|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.

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.{{cite web |url= http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/eddie-jones-appointed-coach-of-japan-20111226-1pa6c.html|title= Eddie Jones appointed coach of Japan|date= 26 December 2011|work= The Sydney Morning Herald|publisher= Fairfax Media|access-date=25 February 2012}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://jrfu.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=694:fujita-in-line-for-historic-debut&catid=39:mens-15-a-side |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120710014004/http://jrfu.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=694:fujita-in-line-for-historic-debut&catid=39:mens-15-a-side |url-status=dead |archive-date=10 July 2012 |title=Fujita in line for historic debut |author=JRFU |date=2 May 2012 }}

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.{{cite news| url = http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-10-16/jones-suffers-suspected-stroke/5027204 | title = Eddie Jones hospitalised after Japan rugby coach suffers suspected stroke – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) | newspaper = ABC News | date = 16 October 2013 | access-date = 2013-10-17 }}{{cite web| url = http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/rugby/eddie-jones-released-from-intensive-care-after-stroke-but-will-miss-japans-test-with-all-blacks/story-fni2fxyf-1226742788198 | title = Eddie Jones released from intensive care after stroke but will miss Japan's Test with All Blacks | access-date = 2013-10-18 }} 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.{{cite web | url = http://www.japonrugby.net/scott-wisemantel-entraineur-par-interim-du-japon.php | title = Scott Wisemantel is interim coach for Japan | access-date = 2013-10-18 | archive-date = 15 December 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191215190015/http://www.japonrugby.net/scott-wisemantel-entraineur-par-interim-du-japon.php | url-status = dead }}

File:James_Whitinui_Joseph-1.jpg 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".{{cite news| url = https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/rugby-union/34269878|title= Rugby World Cup 2015: South Africa 32–34 Japan|work= BBC Sport|date = 2015-09-19| access-date = 2015-09-19 }} 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.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/34492412|title=Rugby World Cup 2015: Japan beat USA in final pool game|work=BBC Sport |date=11 October 2015|access-date=27 March 2018}}

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{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/sep/28/high-fives-and-cheeky-guinness-as-japan-celebrates-rugby-biggest-shock |title=High fives and Guinness as Japan celebrates latest rugby shock |first1=Justin|last1= McCurry |first2= Jamie |last2=Doward|date=28 September 2019 |work=The Observer }}{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-world-cup/2019/09/28/rugby-world-cup-2019-japan-vs-ireland-live-score-latest-updates/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-world-cup/2019/09/28/rugby-world-cup-2019-japan-vs-ireland-live-score-latest-updates/ |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Sensation of Shizuoka: Japan shock Ireland with another historic Rugby World Cup upset |first1=Tom |last1=Cary|first2= Ali |last2=Stokes|date=28 September 2019 |work=The Telegraph}}{{cbignore}} 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.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/oct/13/japan-scotland-rugby-world-cup-match-report |title=Japan hang on to reach Rugby World Cup last eight and send Scotland out |first=Robert |last=Kitson |date=13 October 2019 |work=The Guardian }}

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".{{cite web |script-title=ja:ラグビー日本代表 初代ジャージー発見、京都で展示へ |trans-title=Japan Rugby National Team's first jersey discovered, to be exhibited in Kyoto |url=https://www.sponichi.co.jp/sports/news/2019/08/17/kiji/20190817s00044000058000c.html |website=スポニチ Sponichi Annex |language=ja |date=August 17, 2019}} The current version of the emblem, depicting three full-bloomed Sakura, was dated 1952, when Japan played against Oxford University XV{{Cite web |last=Shimbun |first=Kyoto |title="Rugby Grandma": Designer behind Japan team's cherry blossom emblem |url=https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2019/09/bc34ccc8fff4-rugby-grandma-designer-behind-japan-teams-cherry-blossom-emblem.html |access-date=2022-04-25 |website=Kyodo News+}}{{cite web |title=ADEAC（アデアック）：デジタルアーカイブシステム |url=https://trc-adeac.trc.co.jp/WJ11E0/WJJS06U/1310375100/1310375100100000/ht000750 |website=trc-adeac.trc.co.jp}} at Hanazono, Higashi-Osaka, on 1 October 1952.{{cite web |title=ラグビー日本代表に桜が咲いた日 かつてエンブレムは「つぼみ」だった - スポニチ Sponichi Annex スポーツ |url=https://www.sponichi.co.jp/sports/news/2019/03/04/kiji/20190303s00044000356000c.html |website=スポニチ Sponichi Annex |language=ja}}

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{{cite AV media |date=15 November 2019 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZnooy5W1SM |title=ラグビー日本代表 ユニフォームの歴史 1930年代〜2019年 |publisher=taka - rugby TV |via=YouTube |access-date=28 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029005325/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZnooy5W1SM |archive-date=29 October 2021 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=Rees Stephens, Neath, Wales, Barbarians & British Lions |url=http://www.rugbyrelics.com/neath/people/stephens-rees.htm |website=www.rugbyrelics.com}} and in 1982, by Suzuki Sports.{{cite tweet |last=Leitch |first=Michael |author-link=Michael Leitch |user=g_leitch |number=1472848749995397120 |date=20 December 2021 |title=東芝のJack選手のお父さんがこのジャージを持ってます。1982 Japan vs NZ Uni . Peter Stratton とジャージ交換した選手の名前を知りたいです🙏 https://t.co/nVnKTRZqbG |trans-title=Toshiba's Jack player's father has this jersey. 1982 Japan vs NZ Uni. I would like to know the name of the player who exchanged jerseys with Peter Stratton🙏 |language=ja |access-date=28 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220516023020/https://twitter.com/g_leitch/status/1472848749995397120 |archive-date=16 May 2022 |url-status=live}}

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.

{{main|List of Japan national rugby union test matches#2020s|List of Japan national rugby union test matches}}

{{Rugbybox collapsible2

| date = 3 June 1968{{cite web|url=http://rugby-international.blogspot.ca/2012/08/rugby-in-japan-newsletter-volume-9-no30.html|title=RUGBY IN JAPAN NEWSLETTER Volume 9, No.30|website=rugby-international.blogspot.ca|date=14 August 2012 |access-date=27 March 2018}}

| time =

| home = {{ruA-rt|NZL}}

| report =

| stadium = {{flagicon|NZL}} Athletic Park, Wellington

| away = {{flagicon|JPN}} Japan

| score = 19–23

| referee = RC Fenton

| attendance = 25,000

| try2 = Yoshihiro Sakata (4)
Akira Yokoi
Tadayuki Ito

| con2 = Tsutomu Katsuraguchi

| pen2 = Tsutomu Katsuraguchi

| drop2 =

| gfm2 =

| try1 = Mike O'Callaghan
??? (2)

| con1 = ??? (2)

| pen1 = ??? (2)

| drop1 =

| gfm1. =

}}

{{Rugbybox collapsible2

| date = 28 May 1989

| time =

| home = Japan {{flagicon|JPN}}

| score = 28–24

| away = {{ruA|SCO|name=Scotland XV}}

| report =

| stadium = {{flagicon|JPN}} Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium, Tokyo

| referee =

| attendance =

| gfm2 =

}}

{{Rugbybox collapsible2

| date = 15 September 1998

| time =

| home = Japan {{flagicon|JPN}}

| score = 44–29

| away = {{ru|ARG}}

| report = [http://www.espn.co.uk/statsguru/rugby/match/23449.html Report]

| stadium = {{flagicon|JPN}} Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium, Tokyo

| referee = {{flagicon|ITA}} Giovanni Morandin (Italy)

| attendance = 20,000

| try1 = McCormick
Ohata
Watanabe (2)

| con1 = Murata (3)

| pen1 = Murata (4)

| drop1 = Ken Iwabuchi (2)

| gfm1 =

| try2 = Corleto
Ledesma
Martín
Pfister

| con2 = Fuselli
Lobrauco

| pen2 =

| drop2 = Fuselli

| gfm2 =

}}

{{Rugbybox collapsible2

| date = 15 June 2013

| time = 14:00 JST (UTC+9)

| home = Japan {{flagicon|JPN}}

| score = 23–8

| report = [http://www.espn.co.uk/scrum/rugby/match/170568.html Report]

| away = {{Ru|WAL}}

| try1 = Wing 49' c
Broadhurst 60' c

| con1 = Goromaru (2/2) 49', 61'

| pen1 = Goromaru (3/3) 14', 34', 76'

| drop1 =

| try2 = Prydie 44' m

| con2 =

| pen2 = Biggar (1/2) 21'

| drop2 =

| stadium = {{flagicon|JPN}} Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium, Tokyo

| attendance = 21,062

| referee = Greg Garner (England)

}}

{{Rugbybox collapsible2

| date = 21 June 2014

| time = 14:00 JST (UTC+09)

| home = Japan {{flagicon|JPN}}

| score = 26–23

| report = [http://www.federugby.it/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7021:nazionale-battuta-26-23-dal-giappone-a-tokyo-il-tour-finisce-senza-vittorie&catid=252:slide&Itemid=811 Report]
(In Italian){{cite web |url=http://www.federugby.it/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7021:nazionale-battuta-26-23-dal-giappone-a-tokyo-il-tour-finisce-senza-vittorie&catid=252:slide&Itemid=811 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140621084128/http://www.federugby.it/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7021:nazionale-battuta-26-23-dal-giappone-a-tokyo-il-tour-finisce-senza-vittorie&catid=252:slide&Itemid=811 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2014-06-21 |title=Italy lose 26–23 to Japan in Tokyo |language=it}}

| away = {{Ru|ITA}}

| try1 = Yamada 4' c
Sa'u 59' c

| con1 = Goromaru (2/2) 5', 60'

| pen1 = Goromaru (4/5) 13', 22', 42', 48'

| try2 = Penalty try 17' c
Barbieri 74' c

| con2 = Orquera (1/1) 17'
Allan (1/1) 75'

| pen2 = Orquera (3/3) 7', 35', 52'

| stadium = {{flagicon|JPN}} Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium, Tokyo

| attendance = 13,816

| referee = Jaco Peyper (South Africa)

}}

{{Rugbybox collapsible2

| date = 19 September 2015

| time = 16:45

| home = {{ru-rt|RSA}}

| score = 32–34

| away = {{ru|JPN}}

| report =

| try1 = Louw 18' c
B. Du Plessis 33' m
De Jager 44' c
Strauss 62' c

| con1 = Lambie (2/3) 19', 45'
Pollard (1/1) 63'

| pen1 = Lambie (1/1) 54'
Pollard (1/1) 73'

| try2 = Leitch 30' c
Goromaru 69' c
Hesketh 80' m

| con2 = Goromaru (2/3) 31', 70'

| pen2 = Goromaru (5/6) 8', 43', 49', 53', 60'

| stadium = {{flagicon|ENG}} Falmer Stadium, Brighton

| attendance = 29,290

| referee = Jérôme Garcès (France)

}}

{{Rugbybox collapsible2

| date = 9 June 2018

| time = 14:45 JST (UTC+09)

| home = {{Ru-rt|JPN}}

| score = 34–17

| report =

| away = {{Ru|ITA}}

| try1 = Mafi 17' c
Fukuoka 27' c
Lemeki 60' c
Matsushima 65' c

| con1 = Tamura (4/4) 19', 29', 62', 67'

| pen1 = Tamura (2/3) 33', 57'

| try2 = Pasquali 14' c
Steyn 35' c

| con2 = Allan (2/2) 16', 37'

| pen2 = Allan (1/1) 51'

| stadium = {{flagicon|JPN}} Oita Bank Dome, Oita

| attendance = 25,824

| referee = Nic Berry (Australia)

}}

{{Rugbybox collapsible2

| date = 28 September 2019

| time = 16:15 JST (UTC+09)

| home = {{Ru-rt|JPN}}

| score = 19–12

| away = {{Ru|IRE}}

| report =

| try1 = Fukuoka 59' c

| con1 = Tamura (1/1) 61'

| pen1 = Tamura (4/6) 18', 34', 40', 72'

| try2 = Ringrose 14' m
Rob Kearney 21' c

| con2 = Carty (1/2) 22'

| pen2 =

| stadium = {{flagicon|JPN}} Shizuoka Stadium, Fukuroi

| attendance = 47,813

| referee = Angus Gardner (Australia)

}}

{{Rugbybox collapsible2

| date = 13 October 2019

| time = 16:15 JST (UTC+09)

| home = {{Ru-rt|JPN}}

| score = 28–21

| report = [https://www.rugbyworldcup.com/news/511548 Report]

| away = {{Ru|SCO}}

| try1 = Matsushima 18' c
Inagaki 26' c
Fukuoka (2) 40' c, 43' c

| con1 = Tamura (4/4) 20', 27', 40+2', 44'

| try2 = Russell 7' c
Nel 50' c
Fagerson 55' c

| con2 = Laidlaw (2/2) 8', 51'
Russell (1/1) 56'

| stadium = {{flagicon|JPN}} International Stadium Yokohama, Yokohama

| attendance = 67,666

| referee = Ben O'Keeffe (New Zealand)

}}

Additionally, Japan tied {{ru|FRA}} 23–23 in Paris, 25 November 2017.[https://www.autumn-internationals.co.uk/news/france-and-japan-draw-23-23-in-paris-166.html France and Japan draw 23–23 in Paris]

• [http://en.rugby-japan.jp/schedule/ Official Japan Schedules]
• [http://en.rugby-japan.jp/schedule/result/ Official Japan Results]

{{World Rugby Rankings|Japan|Japan|6|21|15|short=yes|history=yes}}

Below is table of the representative rugby matches played by a Japan national XV to 10 December 2024.{{cite web|url=http://stats.espnscrum.com/statsguru/rugby/stats/index.html?class=1;orderby=team;team=23;template=results;type=team;view=opposition|title=Rugby Union – ESPN Scrum – Statsguru – Test matches – Team records|work=ESPN scrum}}

As of 21 September 2024

The following Japan head coaches have been recognised at the World Rugby Awards since 2001:{{cite news | url=https://www.world.rugby/tournaments/awards/past-winners | title=Awards Roll of Honour - World Rugby | website=www.world.rugby | access-date=16 March 2024 | language=en}}

On 15 October 2024, Japan named a 37-player squad for their 2024 end-of-year matches against New Zealand (26 October), France (9 November), Uruguay (16 November) and England (24 November).[http://en.rugby-japan.jp/2024/10/15/jones-names-brave-blossoms-squad-ahead-of-all-blacks-match-and-autumn-tour/ Jones Names Brave Blossoms Squad Ahead of All Blacks Match and Autumn Tour]

• Head Coach: {{flagdeco|AUS}} Eddie Jones

Caps updated: 16 November 2024 (after game vs Uruguay)

{{nat rs start|hidenote=yes}}

{{nat rs player|pos=HK|name={{sortname|Mamoru|Harada}}|age={{Birth date and age|1999|4|15|df=y}}|caps=10|club=Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo|clubnat=JPN}}

{{nat rs player|pos=HK|name={{sortname|Kenta|Matsuoka}}|age={{Birth date and age|1997|6|6|df=y}}|caps=4|club=Kobelco Kobe Steelers|clubnat=JPN}}

{{nat rs player|pos=HK|name={{sortname|Atsushi|Sakate}}|age={{Birth date and age|1993|6|21|df=y}}|caps=47|club=Saitama Wild Knights|clubnat=JPN}}

{{nat rs player|pos=PR|name={{sortname|Opeti|Helu}}|age={{Birth date and age|1998|7|22|df=y}}|caps=2|club=Kubota Spears Funabashi Tokyo Bay|clubnat=JPN}}

{{nat rs player|pos=PR|name={{sortname|Shogo|Miura}}|age={{Birth date and age|1995|6|8|df=y}}|caps=14|club=Toyota Verblitz|clubnat=JPN}}

{{nat rs player|pos=PR|name={{sortname|Takayoshi|Mohara}}|age={{Birth date and age|2000|3|17|df=y}}|caps=6|club=Shizuoka Blue Revs|clubnat=JPN}}

{{nat rs player|pos=PR|name={{sortname|Yukio|Morikawa}}|age={{Birth date and age|1993|2|6|df=y}}|caps=4|club=Tokyo Sungoliath|clubnat=JPN}}

{{nat rs player|pos=PR|name={{sortname|Takato|Okabe}}|age={{Birth date and age|1995|2|19|df=y}}|caps=7|club=Yokohama Canon Eagles|clubnat=JPN}}

{{nat rs player|pos=PR|name={{sortname|Shuhei|Takeuchi}}|age={{Birth date and age|1997|12|9|df=y}}|caps=12|club=Urayasu D-Rocks|clubnat=JPN}}

{{nat rs player|pos=PR|name={{sortname|Keijiro|Tamefusa}}|age={{Birth date and age|2001|9|3|df=y}}|caps=9|club=Kubota Spears Funabashi Tokyo Bay|clubnat=JPN}}

{{nat rs player|pos=LK|name={{sortname|Daichi|Akiyama|dab=rugby union}}|age={{Birth date and age|1996|11|14|df=y}}|caps=1|club=Toyota Verblitz|clubnat=JPN}}

{{nat rs player|pos=LK|name={{sortname|Warner|Dearns}}|age={{Birth date and age|2002|4|11|df=y}}|caps=21|club=Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo|clubnat=JPN}}

{{nat rs player|pos=LK|name={{sortname|Amanaki|Saumaki}}|age={{Birth date and age|1997|3|8|df=y}}|caps=5|club=Kobelco Kobe Steelers|clubnat=JPN}}

{{nat rs player|pos=LK|name={{sortname|Epineri|Uluiviti}}|age={{Birth date and age|1996|7|7|df=y}}|caps=5|club=Mitsubishi Sagamihara DynaBoars|clubnat=JPN}}

{{nat rs player|pos=LK|name={{sortname|Sanaila|Waqa}}|age={{Birth date and age|1995|7|17|df=y}}|caps=9|club=Hanazono Kintetsu Liners|clubnat=JPN}}

{{nat rs player|pos=BR|name={{sortname|Amato|Fakatava}}|age={{Birth date and age|1994|12|7|df=y}}|caps=13|club=Black Rams Tokyo|clubnat=JPN}}

{{nat rs player|pos=BR|name={{sortname|Kazuki|Himeno}}|age={{Birth date and age|1994|7|27|df=y}}|caps=35|club=Tokyo Sungoliath|clubnat=JPN}}

{{nat rs player|pos=BR|name={{sortname|Faulua|Makisi}}|age={{Birth date and age|1997|1|20|df=y}}|caps=14|club=Kubota Spears Funabashi Tokyo Bay|clubnat=JPN}}

{{nat rs player|pos=BR|name={{sortname|Isaiah|Mapusua}}|age={{Birth date and age|2000|12|21|df=y}}|caps=5|club=Toyota Verblitz|clubnat=JPN}}

{{nat rs player|pos=BR|name={{sortname|Kanji|Shimokawa}}|age={{Birth date and age|1999|1|17|df=y}}|caps=13|club=Tokyo Sungoliath|clubnat=JPN}}

{{nat rs player|pos=BR|name={{sortname|Tevita|Tatafu}}|age={{Birth date and age|1996|1|2|df=y}}|caps=19|club=Bordeaux Bègles|clubnat=FRA}}

{{nat rs player|pos=SH|name={{sortname|Shinobu|Fujiwara}}|age={{Birth date and age|1999|2|8|df=y}}|caps=9|club=Kubota Spears Funabashi Tokyo Bay|clubnat=JPN}}

{{nat rs player|pos=SH|name={{sortname|Ren|Iinuma}}|age={{Birth date and age|2000|2|8|df=y}}|caps=0|club=Urayasu D-Rocks|clubnat=JPN}}

{{nat rs player|pos=SH|name={{sortname|Taiki|Koyama}}|age={{Birth date and age|1994|10|31|df=y}}|caps=8|club=Saitama Wild Knights|clubnat=JPN}}

{{nat rs player|pos=SH|name={{sortname|Naoto|Saitō}}|age={{Birth date and age|1997|8|26|df=y}}|caps=23|club=Toulouse|clubnat=FRA}}

{{nat rs player|pos=FH|name={{sortname|Nakakusu|Ichigo}}|age={{Birth date and age|2000|6|1|df=y}}|caps=0|club=Black Rams Tokyo|clubnat=JPN}}

{{nat rs player|pos=FH|name={{sortname|Harumichi|Tatekawa}} (c)|age={{Birth date and age|1989|12|2|df=y}}|caps=62|club=Kubota Spears Funabashi Tokyo Bay|clubnat=JPN}}

{{nat rs player|pos=CE|name={{sortname|Junta|Hamano}}|age={{Birth date and age|2001|5|2|df=y}}|caps=2|club=Kobelco Kobe Steelers|clubnat=JPN}}

{{nat rs player|pos=CE|name={{sortname|Yuki|Ikeda|dab=rugby union}}|age={{Birth date and age|1995|5|21|df=y}}|caps=0|club=Black Rams Tokyo|clubnat=JPN}}

{{nat rs player|pos=CE|name={{sortname|Yusuke|Kajimura}}|age={{Birth date and age|1995|9|13|df=y}}|caps=6|club=Yokohama Canon Eagles|clubnat=JPN}}

{{nat rs player|pos=CE|name={{sortname|Nicholas|McCurran}}|age={{Birth date and age|1996|6|13|df=y}}|caps=6|club=Toyota Verblitz|clubnat=JPN}}

{{nat rs player|pos=CE|name={{sortname|Tomoki|Osada}}|age={{Birth date and age|1999|11|25|df=y}}|caps=16|club=Saitama Wild Knights|clubnat=JPN}}

{{nat rs player|pos=CE|name={{sortname|Dylan|Riley|dab=rugby union}}|age={{Birth date and age|1997|5|2|df=y}}|caps=27|club=Saitama Wild Knights|clubnat=JPN}}

{{nat rs player|pos=WG|name={{sortname|Siosaia|Fifita}}|age={{Birth date and age|1998|12|20|df=y}}|caps=15|club=Toyota Verblitz|clubnat=JPN}}

{{nat rs player|pos=WG|name={{sortname|Jone|Naikabula}}|age={{Birth date and age|1994|4|12|df=y}}|caps=16|club=Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo|clubnat=JPN}}

{{nat rs player|pos=WG|name={{sortname|Malo|Tuitama}}|age={{Birth date and age|1996|3|23|df=y}}|caps=7|club=Shizuoka Blue Revs|clubnat=JPN}}

{{nat rs player|pos=FB|name={{sortname|Takuro|Matsunaga}}|age={{Birth date and age|1998|8|13|df=y}}|caps=3|club=Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo|clubnat=JPN}}

{{nat rs player|pos=FB|name={{sortname|Yoshitaka|Yazaki}}|age={{Birth date and age|2004|5|12|df=y}}|caps=7|club=Waseda University|clubnat=JPN}}

{{nat rs end}}

{{famous|date=November 2020}}

• 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.

{{small|Last updated: Japan vs Italy, 21 July 2024. Statistics include officially capped matches only.}}{{cite web|url=http://stats.espnscrum.com/scrum/rugby/records/player/most_matches.html?id=23;type=team|title=Rugby Union – Japan – Most matches|work=ESPN scrum}}

{{small|Last updated: Japan vs Italy, 21 July 2024. Statistics include officially capped matches only.}}{{cite web|url=http://stats.espnscrum.com/scrum/rugby/records/player/most_tries.html?id=23;type=team|title=Rugby Union – Japan – Most individual tries|work=ESPN scrum}}

{{small|Last updated: Japan vs Italy, 21 July 2024. Statistics include officially capped matches only.}}{{cite web|url=http://stats.espnscrum.com/scrum/rugby/records/player/most_points.html?id=23;type=team|title=Rugby Union – Japan – Most individual points|work=ESPN scrum}}

{{small|Last updated: Japan vs Italy, 21 July 2024. Statistics include officially capped matches only.}}{{cite web|url=http://stats.espnscrum.com/scrum/rugby/records/player/most_matches_captain.html?id=23;type=team|title=Rugby Union – Japan – Most matches as a captain|work=ESPN scrum}}

{{small|Last updated: Japan vs Italy, 21 July 2024. Statistics include officially capped matches only.}}{{cite web|url=http://stats.espnscrum.com/scrum/rugby/records/player/most_points_match.html?id=23;type=team|title=Rugby Union – Japan – Most individual points in a match|work=ESPN scrum}}

{{small|Last updated: Japan vs Italy, 21 July 2024. Statistics include officially capped matches only.}}{{cite web|url=http://stats.espnscrum.com/scrum/rugby/records/player/most_tries_match.html?id=23;type=team|title=Rugby Union – Japan – Most individual tries in a match|work=ESPN scrum}}

{{Main|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),{{Cite news|date=2019-09-19|title=Matsushima stars as Japan beat Russia - relive hosts' World Cup win|language=en-GB|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/rugby-union/49422122|access-date=2021-06-01}} Japan went on to beat Ireland 19–12,{{Cite news|title=Shock Japan win 'will ignite World Cup'|language=en-GB|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/49863974|access-date=2021-06-01}} 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).{{Cite news|title=Japan beat Samoa to close in on quarters|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/49945731|access-date=2021-06-01}}

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{{Cite news|last=Cleary|first=Mick|date=2019-10-13|title=Scotland didn't cover themselves in glory with legal threats amid death and destruction in Japan|language=en-GB|work=The Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-world-cup/2019/10/13/japan-v-scotland-match/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-world-cup/2019/10/13/japan-v-scotland-match/ |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=2021-06-01|issn=0307-1235}}{{cbignore}} 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.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/50022086 |title=Japan 28-21 Scotland: Gregor Townsend's side out of Rugby World Cup|first= Tom|last= English|date=13 October 2019|work=BBC Sport }}

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.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/50114773|title= South Africa 26-3 Japan: Springboks through to Rugby World Cup semi-finals|first= Becky |last=Grey|date=20 October 2019|work=BBC Sport}}

{{Japan Rugby World Cup record}}

{{See also|Pacific Nations Cup}}

File:Japan vs Samoa Rugby Matc 17 June 2012.jpg

{{See also|Asia Rugby Championship}}

{{Portal|Asia|Japan|Sports}}

• Rugby union in Japan
• List of Japan national rugby union test matches
• Japan women's national rugby union team

{{notelist}}

{{reflist}}

{{commons category}}

• {{official website}} {{in lang|en}}
• [http://www.rugbyjapan.com/univ/41st.htm 41st University Rugby Championship]
• [http://www.planet-rugby.com/Teams/Japan/index.shtml Japanese rugby union news from Planet Rugby] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051031190416/http://www.planet-rugby.com/Teams/Japan/index.shtml |date=31 October 2005 }}

{{Japan national rugby union team}}

{{Asia Rugby Championship winners}}

{{Rugby union in Japan}}

{{Pacific Nations Cup}}

{{National rugby teams}}

{{Japan Professional Sports Grand Prize}}

{{JapanNationalTeams}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Japan National Rugby Union Team}}

Category:1932 establishments in Japan

Category:Rugby clubs established in 1932