Summer Olympics Jul 23, 2021
At long last, the Tokyo Olympics have begun
by Jason Coskrey
After a tumultuous year, an unprecedented Olympics got underway in Tokyo in the age of the new normal.
Rugby Mar 10, 2021
Ten years on, rugby lifts spirits in tsunami-struck Kamaishi
Passion for rugby is offering a beacon of hope in the northeastern city of Kamaishi, Iwate Prefecture, after it was ravaged by the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami. "We were able to aim for the same goal, the World Cup," said Yoshihiko Sakuraba, general manager ...
Rugby Feb 19, 2021
Final Top League set to kick off as rugby clubs eye new era
by Rich Freeman
Beginning next year, the top 25 teams in the nation — 16 from the Top League and nine Top Challenge League sides — will play in a new three-tier competition.
Rugby Sep 5, 2020
Can Japan make the most of its Rugby World Cup legacy?
by Andrew McKirdy
One year after the global tournament kicked off, the impact of COVID-19 is hampering efforts to build on the hugely successful event.
Rugby Jun 25, 2020
Japan praised for hosting successful Rugby World Cup
by Kaz Nagatsuka
An economic impact report on the 2019 Rugby World Cup confirms the 44-day event was the success organizers were hoping it would become when Japan was named host. The report, which was done by Ernst and Young and released Wednesday by the tournament organizing committee, ...
Rugby May 22, 2020
JRFU hopes to be key to more unified rugby world
by Rich Freeman
Chairman Kensuke Iwabuchi hopes Japan can help steer rugby toward a global calendar and develop the sport in Asia.
Rugby Apr 17, 2020
Agustin Pichot looking to change sport's mindset through run for World Rugby chairman
by Rich Freeman
The former Argentina captain believes that strong emerging nations such as Japan deserve to participate in high-level international competitions.
Rugby | ADDING THE EXTRAS Mar 28, 2020
Odd decisions, big questions amidst crises in Japanese rugby
by Rich Freeman
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 ...
Rugby Mar 10, 2020
2019 RWC organizers allocate funds for development of rugby, new museum
The 2019 Rugby World Cup generated a surplus of ¥6.8 billion ($65 million), the organizers' board of directors reported Tuesday. Organizers are asking the Japan Rugby Football Union to spend ¥2 billion of the profits, intended for the development of rugby, toward the construction of ...
Rugby Mar 7, 2020
2019 Rugby World Cup organizers estimate profit of ¥6 billion: source
The organizers of Rugby World Cup 2019, which was held in Japan last autumn, are forecasting a profit of at least ¥6 billion ($57 million), a source said Friday. The Japan Rugby Football Union and the organizing committee's board of directors will now decide how ...
Rugby Jan 29, 2020
Brave Blossoms head coach Jamie Joseph calls for structural reform
Japan coach Jamie Joseph put the cat among the pigeons Wednesday when he said the Brave Blossoms could not hope to remain a top eight nation if the current domestic structures remain in place. Speaking to the media for the first time since he agreed ...
Rugby Jan 10, 2020
The Brave Blossoms, who reached the quarterfinals of last year's Rugby World Cup in Japan, will play host to Wales on June 27, both nation's rugby unions announced Friday. Wales is eager to continue its engagement with Japan after reaching the semifinals last year and ...