Japan | RugbyJP

Mark Pickering

Dec 61 min read

Japan XV of newly-qualified players

The upcoming fourth season of League One will see a host of foreign-born players qualify to play for Japan. RugbyJP has selected a 'Japan...

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Black Rams star Isaac Lucas

Mark Pickering

Nov 285 min read

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Black Rams star Isaac Lucas

Ricoh Black Rams Tokyo fly-half Isaac Lucas spoke to RugbyJP.com following the Komazawa side’s impressive 59 – 22 victory over Toshiba...

Japan Olympian turned referee Ano Kuwai to officiate in League One

Mark Pickering

Nov 212 min read

Japan Olympian turned referee Ano Kuwai to officiate in League One

Japan’s history-making Rio 2016 sevens Olympian Ano Kuwai has been selected to referee in League One for the first time. Hokkaido native...

Mark Pickering

Nov 141 min read

VIDEO - Best of Lui Naeata in Japan

Tongan number eight Lui Naeata starred in Japan for Kobe, Red Hurricanes and Toyota Shuttles. The Japan-qualified 30-year-old has joined...

Guide to the Japan team to play New Zealand

Mark Pickering

Oct 2510 min read

Guide to the Japan team to play New Zealand

RugbyJP has profiled the 15 players Eddie Jones has selected to play the All Blacks at Nissan Stadium in Yokohama on Saturday. 1. Takato...

Mark Pickering

Oct 231 min read

VIDEO - Best of Isaac Lucas in Japan

Australian fly-half Isaac Lucas, 25, has been a key player for Black Rams Tokyo since joining in 2021 and is close to qualifying to play...

Suntory paid Eddie Jones’ salary during his first Brave Blossoms tenure

Mark Pickering

Oct 222 min read

Suntory paid Eddie Jones’ salary during his first Brave Blossoms tenure

League One club Suntory Sungoliath paid Eddie Jones’ salary during his first reign in charge of the Brave Blossoms, RugbyJP can...

Mo'unga and Frizell will not attend Japan v New Zealand

Mark Pickering

Oct 201 min read

Mo'unga and Frizell will not attend Japan v New Zealand

Toshiba Brave Lupus stars Richie Mo'unga and Shannon Frizell will not be attending Japan’s Test match against New Zealand in Yokohama...

Japan v New Zealand to feature League One Festival

Mark Pickering

Oct 171 min read

Japan v New Zealand to feature League One Festival

Japan Rugby has announced that a League One Festival will be held ahead of the Brave Blossoms’ bumper Test match against the All Blacks...

15 facts about Japan and Toshiba captain Michael Leitch

Mark Pickering

Oct 86 min read

15 facts about Japan and Toshiba captain Michael Leitch

Japan great Michael Leitch celebrated his 36th birthday on Monday. RugbyJP presents 15 of the most interesting facts about the evergreen...

VIDEO - Every Viliame Takayawa try in L1 2023-24

Mark Pickering

Sep 291 min read

VIDEO - Every Viliame Takayawa try in L1 2023-24

Yokohama Canon Eagles wing Viliame Takayawa scored 12 tries last season in League One. Fiji-born Takayawa, 27, qualifies for Japan on...

VIDEO - Every Lomano Lemeki try in L1 2023-24

Mark Pickering

Sep 261 min read

VIDEO - Every Lomano Lemeki try in L1 2023-24

Japan international Lomano Lemeki starred for NEC Green Rockets in division two with 6 tries last season. The Auckland-born utility back...

Australian school boys sent home from Japan rugby tour after disgraceful act

Mark Pickering

Sep 251 min read

Australian school boys sent home from Japan rugby tour after disgraceful act

Three boys from an Australian school have been sent home from their rugby tour in Japan after allegedly stealing a disabled man’s...

VIDEO - Every Kotaro Matsushima try in L1 2023-24

Mark Pickering

Sep 241 min read

VIDEO - Every Kotaro Matsushima try in L1 2023-24

Suntory Sungoliath full-back Kotaro Matsushima scored seven tries last season in League One. Matsushima, 31, was overlooked for Eddie...

VIDEO - Every Jone Naikabula try in L1 2023-24

Mark Pickering

Sep 221 min read

VIDEO - Every Jone Naikabula try in L1 2023-24

Toshiba's Jone Naikabula starred for his side with a haul of 12 tries in the 2023-24 season The Fiji-born winger, 30, signed a four-year...

Mark Pickering

Sep 221 min read

VIDEO HL - Japan v Fiji, PNC Final

Watch below the highlights of Fiji's commanding 41-17 win over Japan in Saturday's Pacific Nations Cup Grand Final in Osaka. #rugbyjp...