RugbyJP.com was founded in December 2023 by Tokyo-based freelance sports journalist and broadcaster Mark Pickering.

 
Mark hails from the rugby hotbed of Pencoed, Bridgend in Wales. 

Having freelanced for the likes of the All Blacks, the UFC, and also having covered the last three Olympic and Paralympic Games, Mark, who was the Media Director and Head of Social Media at a world governing body from 2013 – 2020, believes the Japanese rugby scene deserves far greater English-language coverage, and aims to connect an enthusiastic international audience with international top players featuring in the star-studded League One.  
 
With in-depth knowledge of the Japanese rugby scene, a rich source of contacts and access to games as a resident in Japan, as well as a passion to provide comprehensive coverage of the new season, RugbyJP.com aims to be the to go-to resource for English-speaking fans.