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 ...
Japanese media pundits deliver their verdicts on 2019's hit products
While consumers may take ownership of certain products for granted, there's something reaffirming about acquiring a product that's been designated a hit, and my experiences over the years tell me Japanese aren't especially different from other nationalities in this regard. The origin of Japan's own ...
Part of Rugby World Cup windfall to be spent on legacy projects
Ticket revenue for the 2019 Rugby World Cup totaled some ¥37.3 billion ($343 million), outstripping estimates by around ¥2.3 billion, the local organizers said Thursday. Around 1.84 million tickets were sold for the Sept. 20 to Nov. 2 World Cup, the first edition of the ...
Japanese rugby's 'One Team' motto declared buzzword of the year
"One Team," Japan's slogan for the 2019 Rugby World Cup, was picked as buzzword of the year on Monday after the Brave Blossoms thrilled fans with their historic advance to the top eight. The annual awards are announced in early December, when the top buzzword ...
Rugby World Cup winner Cheslin Kolbe was named the Top 14's player of the season on Monday, the French League announced at a ceremony. Kolbe, 26, lifted the Webb Ellis Trophy with the Springboks earlier this month after having helped his club Toulouse to the ...
Kintetsu Liners' Luke Thompson bids farewell to home fans at Hanazono Rugby Stadium
Veteran lock Luke Thompson, who helped Japan reach the quarterfinals for the first time at this fall's Rugby World Cup, played his final home match at Hanazono Rugby Stadium on Sunday. The 38-year-old Thompson, who plans to retire at the end of the season, played ...
The Japan Rugby Football Union said Thursday the Brave Blossoms will take part in a parade in Tokyo on Dec. 11 to express their appreciation to their fans following their successful Rugby World Cup campaign. The JRFU said it is coordinating with the 31 players ...
Scottish Rugby Union pays fine, expresses regret over typhoon comments
The Scottish Rugby Union has paid a £70,000 ($90,000) fine and "expressed its regret" for comments made in relation to the threatened cancellation of their World Cup pool match with host Japan due to Typhoon Hagibis, World Rugby said on Thursday. Scotland was desperate for ...
It's time for the Brave Blossoms to be on a level financial playing field
After six boisterous weeks, the 2019 Rugby World Cup is over. By all accounts, the tournament has been a roaring success, with Nikkei Business estimating that it has injected more than ¥430 billion into the economy. Sadly, it seems, the Japanese national side saw very ...
Beauden Barrett backs Ian Foster in New Zealand coaching search
New Zealand fullback Beauden Barrett has voiced his support for Ian Foster's bid to take over from Steve Hansen as All Blacks coach, saying he would like to see "continuity" in the role, local media have reported. Hansen ended his 16-year association with the team ...
