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Rich Freeman
For Rich Freeman's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Japan's Amato Fakatava moves the ball against Argentina's Mateo Carreras during their 2023 Rugby World Cup Pool D finale in Nantes, France, on Sunday.
MORE SPORTS / Rugby
Oct 8, 2023
Brave Blossoms' quarterfinal hopes dashed by Argentina
Mateo Carreras scored a hat trick of tries as the Pumas finished as Pool D runners-up behind England.
Dylan Riley is representing Japan at the Rugby World Cup six years after arriving in the country for a tryout with the Saitama Wild Knights.
MORE SPORTS
Oct 6, 2023
Dylan Riley embodying Japan's former 'One Team' motto at World Cup
Dylan Riley is representing his adopted country at the highest level just six years after arriving.
Japan's Brave Blossoms need a win against Argentina on Sunday in order to progress to a second straight Rugby World Cup quarterfinal.
MORE SPORTS / Rugby
Oct 4, 2023
Japan legend Luke Thompson hopeful Brave Blossoms can make last 8
The now-retired lock admits that Japan has not progressed as much as other teams at the ongoing tournament in France.
Japan's Brave Blossoms train ahead of their Rugby World Cup showdown with Argentina at the team's base camp in Toulouse, France, on Monday.
MORE SPORTS / Rugby
Oct 3, 2023
Japan to call on spirit of 2019 and brotherhood for key RWC clash
A similar dynamic took hold four years ago on home soil, when Japan went into its final pool game against Scotland knowing it had to win to advance.
Members of the Argentina team following their victory over Chile in a Rugby World Cup Pool D match on Saturday in Nantes, France
MORE SPORTS / Rugby
Oct 2, 2023
Pumas sharpening their claws for Brave Blossoms World Cup clash
The Pumas' 59-5 win over Chile on Saturday in Nantes saw them rise to second place in Pool D.
The Brave Blossoms breathed life into their Rugby World Cup campaign with a win over Samoa in Toulouse, France, on Thursday.
MORE SPORTS / Rugby
Oct 1, 2023
Reduction in errors helping Japan's cause at Rugby World Cup
Japan's win against Samoa on Thursday gave the team a boost in confidence as it aims to reach a second straight knockout round.
Samoa head coach Seilala Mapusua is among a number of players and coaches on the team with close ties to Japan.
MORE SPORTS / Rugby
Sep 26, 2023
Samoa hoping local knowledge will offer edge against Japan
Both teams head into the game at Stadium de Toulouse knowing a loss would likely see their chances of reaching the knockout stage all but disappear.
Fans of Japan's Brave Blossoms ahead of the team's Rugby World Cup opener against Chile on Sept. 10 in Toulouse, France
MORE SPORTS / Rugby
Sep 22, 2023
World Cup travel chaos leaves Japanese fans longing for 2019
Cancellations of transport services have forced fans to find alternative ways to the host cities and grounds.
Japan wing Siosaia Fifita (left), scrum-half Kenta Fukuda (center) and fly-half Jumpei Ogura on Thursday in Toulouse, France, where the national team is based for the Rugby World Cup
MORE SPORTS / Rugby
Sep 22, 2023
Japan players give insight into Rugby World Cup preparation
Fly-half Jumpei Ogura, scrum-half Kenta Fukuda and wing Siosaia Fifita have yet to play in the tournament, but haven't been taking things easy.
Ryohei Yamanaka trains in Monaco ahead of playing with the Japanese squad in the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
MORE SPORTS / Rugby
Sep 21, 2023
Yamanaka back and ready to rock with Brave Blossoms at World Cup
Yamanaka, seen by many as unlucky not to have made the original 33-man squad, flew in to join the team on Monday night.
The Brave Blossoms prepare for their Rugby World Cup match against England during a training session in Toulouse, France, on Wednesday.
MORE SPORTS / Rugby
Sep 14, 2023
Brave Blossoms eager to take fight to England at World Cup
The Brave Blossoms will face England in their second game at the Rugby World Cup.
Japan's Jack Cornelsen (second from left) moved to the No. 8 position in relief of injured captain Kazuki Himeno for the Brave Blossoms' Pool D opener against Chile in Toulouse, France, on Sunday.
MORE SPORTS / Rugby
Sep 12, 2023
Japan can't rest on laurels after Chile win as England awaits
The Brave Blossoms' backs will need to be sharper if they are to cause problems for the English defense.
Japan Times
Rugby
Jul 23, 2023
Japanese rugby seemingly in stagnation mode ahead of Rugby World Cup
The high-speed Brave Blossoms attack that so delighted fans at the previous two World Cups hardly made an appearance.
Japan Times
Rugby
May 21, 2023
Spears too sharp for Wild Knights in Japan Rugby League One final
Wild Knights coach Robbie Deans was quick to praise Spears for their win but admitted he was mystified by how his own side had performed.
Japan Times
Rugby
May 14, 2023
Spears edge Sungoliath to reach League One final
The crowd of 13,065 at Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground were presented with a thrilling finale.
Japan Times
Rugby
May 14, 2023
Marika Koroibete and Rikiya Matsuda see Wild Knights into final
Robbie Deans" team has lost just once in the two-year history of the tournament.
Japan Times
Rugby
Feb 19, 2021
Final Top League set to kick off as rugby clubs eye new era
Beginning next year, the top 25 teams in the nation u2014 16 from the Top League and nine Top Challenge League sides u2014 will play in a new three-tier competition.
Japan Times
Rugby
Oct 23, 2020
Wallabies and Panasonic star David Pocock hangs up boots
The two-time World Player of the Year nominee earned 83 caps for Australia.
Japan Times
Rugby
Sep 26, 2020
Building up rugby team placed ahead of Japanese citizens' rights
Three naturalized Japanese citizens found themselves on the wrong side of a decision that essentially restricts their ability to work as professional rugby players in their adopted homeland.
Japan Times
Rugby / ADDING THE EXTRAS
May 29, 2020
Top League welcomes influx of talent from northern hemisphere
Japanese rugby will be as diverse as ever following strong efforts by local clubs to sign top-tier international players.

Longform

A statue of "Dragon Ball" character Goku stands outside the offices of Bandai Namco in Tokyo. The figure is now as recognizable as such characters as Mickey Mouse and Spider-Man.
Akira Toriyama's gift to the world