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Japan Times
Rugby
Jan 17, 2018

Wales hoping to win new friends at Rugby World Cup

The Wales national rugby team wants to "do more than just turn up, have a great time and then disappear" during the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan, and plans to forge a lasting relationship with the city of Kitakyushu.
Japan Times
Rugby
Jan 15, 2017

Rugby star Pocock preparing to swap Japan for African wilderness

Australian rugby star David Pocock has enjoyed locking horns with the big beasts of Japan's Top League since joining the Panasonic Wild Knights in December.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / VIEWS FROM THE STREET
Mar 16, 2016

Views from Tokyo: Are Japan's Sunwolves ready for Super Rugby?

Fans offer their views on the prospects for the Sunwolves, Asia's first Super Rugby team.
Rugby
Feb 23, 2016

Rugby World Cup chief pledges faith in Japan 2019 organizers

The head of the Rugby World Cup is confident that Japan can transform itself into a rugby-mad nation by 2019 and make the first tournament to be held in Asia a success.
Japan Times
Rugby
May 4, 2023

Former World Rugby President Bernard Lapasset dies

Bernard Lapasset, former president of rugby union's governing body and the driving force behind Paris' successful 2024 Olympic bid, has died. He was 75.
Rugby / ADDING THE EXTRAS
Mar 28, 2020

Odd decisions, big questions amidst crises in Japanese rugby

With rugby seemingly done for the season, it is time to look back on a crazy few months that have seen Japanese rugby go from the highs of the 2019 Rugby World Cup to a state of confusion in which even a former Brave Blossoms captain is questioning what is going on.
Japan Times
Rugby / ADDING THE EXTRAS
Dec 27, 2019

Matching magic moments to karaoke classics in a historic year for Japan rugby

With the bōnenkai (year-end party) season in full swing, it is time to look back at a special year of rugby in Japan while also trying to predict what the future holds.
Japan Times
Rugby
Sep 30, 2019

Rugby superfan 'Bak-san' becomes World Cup sensation with body-painted jerseys

Step aside Beauden Barrett, Owen Farrell and Siya Kolisi — the real MVP of the 2019 Rugby World Cup so far is "Bak-san."
Japan Times
Rugby
Sep 20, 2019

Fans stoked for start of Rugby World Cup

Hours before Friday night's Rugby World Cup opening game between Japan and Russia at Tokyo Stadium, tons of fans donned red and white Brave Blossoms replica jerseys.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink
Sep 20, 2019

Sports bars in Tokyo, Osaka and beyond for watching the 2019 Rugby World Cup

Can’t make it to the game? A sports bar is the next best place to watch alongside fellow fans (and rivals rooting for the opposing team). Here’s a selection of some of the best watering holes in Tokyo and Osaka where sports are on tap.
Rugby / Coach's Eye
Jul 5, 2019

Rugby underwent big changes on global scale in 1990s

The Rugby World Cup has become a massive sporting event.
Japan Times
Rugby
Oct 14, 2016

Rugby chief fears Olympics leaving 2019 World Cup in shade

World Rugby chief Brett Gosper admits he is concerned that the 2020 Tokyo Olympics are shunting the 2019 Rugby World Cup into the shadows just three years before Japan hosts the event.
Japan Times
Rugby
Aug 30, 2015

Japan looking to draw strength from off-field rugby turmoil

Japan captain Michael Leitch fears that Japanese rugby is in danger of squandering the momentum it has built up in recent years following a harrowing week for the sport.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / THE FOREIGN ELEMENT
Apr 2, 2013

A tale of two knives, a Kiwi legend, a gang and a girl

The story reads like a New Zealand news editor's wish list: Celebrity, dangerous weapons, bizarre behavior, death threats, Brazilian street gangs and a mysterious love interest.
Japan Times
Rugby
Jun 28, 2022

Spain's disqualification from 2023 Rugby World Cup confirmed

Spain, which had reached the tournament for the first time since 1999, was penalized after the team was found to have used an ineligible player during qualifying.
France's scrum-half Antoine Dupont warms up ahead of a match between France and Australia near Paris on Sunday.
MORE SPORTS / Rugby
Aug 30, 2023

Now or never for favorites France as Rugby World Cup hosts

France might be below Ireland and the Springboks in the world rankings but they have seldom been in such good form before a Rugby World Cup.
England's Ellis Genge (center) is tackled by Japan's Craig Millar (left) and Tomoki Osada during their match at the Rugby World Cup in Nice, France, on Sunday.
MORE SPORTS / Rugby
Sep 18, 2023

Japan fails to keep up with England at Rugby World Cup

Japan fell to its first loss of the 2023 Rugby World Cup on Sunday, going down 34-12 to England in Pool D in front of 30,500 at Stade de Nice.
Katsuya Hashimoto scored 19 tries for Japan as the team recorded a 48-41 win over the United States to secure the wheelchair rugby gold medal at the 2024 Paris Paralympics on Monday.
PARALYMPICS
Sep 3, 2024

Japan eases past U.S. for first Paralympic wheelchair rugby gold

Katsuya Hashimoto scored 19 tries for Japan, which had secured bronze in the past two Games.
Australia's Charlotte Caslick (left) has been ruled out of the upcoming Women's Rugby World Cup due to an ankle injury.
MORE SPORTS / Rugby
Aug 11, 2025

Australia loses Charlotte Caslick ahead of Women's Rugby World Cup

Caslick, who was named sevens World Player of the Year in 2016, damaged her ankle against New Zealand last month but was included in Jo Yapp's Australia squad last week.
The No. 2 field at the Hanazono Rugby Stadium complex in Higashiosaka, Osaka Prefecture. The field is slated to be upgraded into a 5,000-seat stadium but has faced lengthy construction delays.
MORE SPORTS
Sep 4, 2025

Upgrades for Osaka's Hanazono Rugby Stadium still mired in delays

The planned upgrades, featuring the construction of a new stadium by FC Osaka, is a condition for the third-tier J. League club to use Hanazono as its home ground.

Longform

Bear attacks have dominated Japanese news headlines in recent months, with 13 people so far having been killed by the animals.
Japan’s bears have been on their killing spree for more than 100 years