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 ...
Final Top League set to kick off as rugby clubs eye new era
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.
Can Japan make the most of its Rugby World Cup legacy?
One year after the global tournament kicked off, the impact of COVID-19 is hampering efforts to build on the hugely successful event.
Japan praised for hosting successful Rugby World Cup
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, ...
JRFU hopes to be key to more unified rugby world
Chairman Kensuke Iwabuchi hopes Japan can help steer rugby toward a global calendar and develop the sport in Asia.
Agustin Pichot looking to change sport's mindset through run for World Rugby chairman
The former Argentina captain believes that strong emerging nations such as Japan deserve to participate in high-level international competitions.
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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. And what better way to do it than in traditional karaoke style with ...
