Japan national rugby union team

Japan

Nickname(s)	Cherry Blossoms/Brave Blossoms
Emblem	Sakura
Union	Japan Rugby Football Union
Head coach	Jamie Joseph
Captain	Michael Leitch
Most caps	Hitoshi Ono (96)
Top scorer	Ayumu Goromaru (708)
Top try scorer	Daisuke Ohata (69)
Home stadium	Chichibunomiya Stadium
First colours Second colours
World Rugby ranking
Current	9 (as of 15 February 2016)
Highest	9 (2016)
Lowest	20 (2006)
First international
Japan 9–8 Canada (31 January 1932)
Biggest win
Japan 155–3 Chinese Taipei (1 July 2002)
Biggest defeat
Japan 17–145 New Zealand (4 June 1995)
World Cup
Appearances	8 (First in 1987)
Best result	Pool stage, 1987, 1991, 1995, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015
Website	www.jrfu.org

The Japan national rugby union team (often known as the Cherry Blossoms or more recently The Brave Blossoms) represent Japan in international rugby union competitions. Japan is traditionally the strongest rugby union power in Asia but has both enjoyed and endured mixed results against non-Asian teams over the years. Rugby union in Japan is administered by the Japan Rugby Football Union (JRFU), which was founded in 1926. They compete annually in the Pacific Nations Cup and the Asian Rugby Championship. They have also participated in every Rugby World Cup since the tournament began in 1987.

Rugby was introduced to Japan in 1899 and Japan's first international was a match against a Canadian team in 1932. Notable games for Japan include a victory over the Junior All Blacks in 1968, and a narrow 6–3 loss to England in 1971. Famous wins by Japan include a 28–24 victory over a Scotland XV in 1989 and a 23–8 victory over Wales in 2013. In the 2007 Rugby World Cup, Japan drew 12–12 against Canada. In 2011, Japan displayed its progress by winning the 2011 IRB Pacific Nations Cup, played against Fiji, Samoa and Tonga. Further progess was displayed in 2014 when Japan completed a string of ten consecutive test wins (a record for a tier 2 team) to rank in the world's top 10 teams.^[1] This continued into 2015 where they produced arguably the biggest upset in rugby history in a Rugby World Cup pool match against the Springboks, winning 34–32.^[2][3][4]

History

The first recorded instance of rugby being played in Japan was in 1874, when British sailors staged a game in Yokohama. The sport was introduced to students at Keio University in 1899 by Professor Edward Bramwell Clarke and Tanaka Ginnosuke. Japan's first international match took place on 31 January 1932 when a trade delegation from Canada brought the Canada national rugby union team, who were also playing their first game. The Japanese won 9–8.

Japan beat the Junior All Blacks 23–19 in 1968 after losing the first four matches on a tour of New Zealand, but they won the last five. The Japanese (coached by Waseda University Professor Onishi Tetsunosuke) lost by just 3–6 to England in Tokyo on 29 September 1971 in the RFU's centenary year. The 1973 Japan rugby union tour of Wales, England and France was less successful with the side winning only two of their eleven matches, and losing the international matches against Wales and France. Ten years later Japan gave Wales a fright in losing by a slim five-point margin, 24–29, at Cardiff Arms Park on 2 October 1983.

On 28 May 1989, a strong Japan coached by Hiroaki Shukuzawa defeated an uncapped Scotland, missing nine British Lions on tour in Australia, for the first time at Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium, 28–24. The Japan team included such Kobe Steel stalwarts as centre Seiji Hirao (captain), and locks Atsushi Oyagi and Toshiyuki Hayashi (38 Japan caps and a member of Oxford University's all-time best XV). Sinali Latu at No. 8 was then a fourth year student at Daito Bunka University, and speedy Yoshihito Yoshida on the wing (no. 14) was a third year at Meiji University. Scotland missed an incredible seven penalties and refused the kicking tee which was generously offered – as a surviving video of the game shows. It was almost the same Japanese team which defeated Zimbabwe in RWC1991.

Under Shogo Mukai (2001–2003)

After Hirao resigned, Toshiba Brave Lupus coach Shogo Mukai was appointed in March 2001 to lead Japan up to the 2003 Rugby World Cup. After mixed fortunes in his first two years in charge, Japan put in some impressive performances at the tournament with good efforts against Scotland and France, nevertheless they still left the tournament having failed to reach their target of winning some matches but still won admirers for their exciting brand of play. Mukai left his post after the tournament to spend more time with his family.

Under Mitsutake Hagimoto (2004–2005)

After Shogo Mukai left after the 2003 Rugby World Cup, the JRFU initially tried to appoint Eddie Jones from his post with Australia but were unsuccessful and instead appointed Mitsutake Hagimoto in March 2004 after he won the inaugural Top League with the Kobelco Steelers. Under Hagimoto, Japan decided they would not select foreign born players after Mukai had been criticised for playing too many at the World Cup.

Hagimoto's first match in charge was a disappointing draw with Korea, but his first few matches in charge after that were promising with wins over Russia and Canada to win the Super Powers Cup and pushed Italy close losing 32–19.

However, in November 2004, Japan went on a disastrous tour to Europe where they were embarrassingly thrashed 100–8 by Scotland and 98–0 by Wales and also were comfortably defeated by Romania. Japan's performances were described as "pathetic", and the squad was called "a joke" with some key players ignored or not given permission to travel.

This disastrous tour forced a rethink from Hagimoto and foreign born players were brought back into the side in 2005, but after losing twice to Ireland in June he was sacked and with just 5 wins from 15 matches was the least successful coach for Japan in the professional era.

Under Jean-Pierre Élissalde (2005–2006)

Japan play Tonga at Honjo stadium on 4 June 2006

After Hagimoto left his post at the end of June 2005, Jean-Pierre Élissalde who had been appointed backs coach three months earlier took full charge and became the first foreigner to be the head coach for Japan. His first match in charge was a 44–29 win over Spain in November 2005.

In 2006, despite a disappointing campaign in the inaugural Pacific Nations Cup in June where Japan lost all their matches, and also lost to heavily to Italy 52–6, Élissalde was backed to lead the side to the 2007 Rugby World Cup. But Élissalde was later sacked in September after he took on a job with Bayonne without consulting the JRFU and then refused to give up his job with them.^[5] Assistant coach Osamu Ota took over as caretaker coach for two Rugby World Cup qualifiers in November 2006.

Under John Kirwan (2007–2011)

Japan plays Australia A on 8 June 2008

John Kirwan was appointed head coach on in October 2006 after Elissalde was sacked. He initially worked as an advisor to caretaker coach Osamu Ota before taking over the job completely in 2007.

After starting with large wins over the Asian opposition, Japan only won one of their remaining 10 fixtures in 2007, although in the 2007 Rugby World Cup they did gain a draw with a last minute touchline conversion from Shotaro Onishi against Canada to end a long losing streak of World Cup matches stretching back to 1991.

Results began to pick up after the 2007 World Cup and Kirwan led Japan up to a high of 13th in the IRB Rankings and to win their first ever Pacific Nations Cup title in 2011 after they beat Fiji away for the first ever time in Japan's history.

However, despite more positive results in between World Cups, Japan had a disappointing 2011 Rugby World Cup, losing 31–18 to Tonga who they had beaten four consecutive times in a row since 2008, and drawing again to Canada who they had beaten 46–8 and 27–6 in 2009, and Japan left the World Cup winless meaning they still hadn't won a match at the tournament since 1991. Kirwan came under pressure after the tournament and he resigned from his post after his contract came to the end at the end of the year.

The tenure of Kirwan as coach was notable for a large amount of imports he selected. Players who originated from New Zealand such as James Arlidge, Bryce Robins, Shaun Webb, Ryan Nicholas, Luke Thompson or Tonga such as Alisi Tupuailei and Sione Vatuvei all featured prominently under Kirwan. The large percentage of foreigners in the national team also caused criticism for Kirwan. However, despite failing to bring Japan a World Cup win, Kirwan left his post as the most successful Japan coach of the professional era with a win rate of 58.18% from 55 matches.

Under Eddie Jones (2012–2015)

Kirwan chose not to renew his contract as head coach when it expired at the end of 2011, and the Japan Rugby Football Union announced that former Australia coach, Eddie Jones, would be his successor.^[6] Jones stated that his intention was to take the Japanese national team into the top 10 on the international rankings, and that they must develop a style of play to allow them to win games against teams such as Scotland and Wales.

Jones made his debut as Japan head coach against Kazakhstan. He had selected a total of 10 uncapped players out of the 22 selected players. They went on to win the match 87–0. They then had a big win over United Arab Emirates where young 18-year-old Yoshikazu Fujita set a new Asian Five Nations record for the most tries in a single match with a total of 6. This was also Fujita's international debut.^[7]

In 2013, Jones led Japan to their sixth consecutive championship win in the Asian Five Nations, where Japan achieved a tournament record score of 121–0 against the Philippines. In May, the nation lost their opening match of the 2013 IRB Pacific Nations Cup to Tonga, followed by a defeat to Fiji in the second round. Following these matches, Japan faced a 2-test series against Wales. Japan lost narrowly, 18–22, in the first test, but won the second test 23–8, and the series ended in a 1–1 draw. This was the first time that Japan had recorded a victory over the Welsh.

On 16 October 2013, Jones was hospitalised after having a suspected stroke and was released from hospital 2 days later on 18 October 2013.^[8][9] With the announcement of his release from hospital, it was announced that Jones would miss Japan's 2013 end-of-year rugby union tests against New Zealand, Scotland, Gloucester, Russia and Spain, and former Australia skills coach and current technical adviser for Japan Scott Wisemantel would interim coach Japan for their 2013 end-of-year rugby union tests.^[10]

On 19 September 2015, Japan stunned South Africa 34–32 in their opening group pool game at the Rugby World Cup in Brighton, England. BBC reported the win as "arguably the biggest upset in rugby union history".^[11] In 2015, Japan became the first team in world cup history to win three pool games but still be eliminated at the group stage, due to their heavy loss to Scotland.^[12]

Tournament history

Rugby World Cup

Japan has participated in the Rugby World Cup since its inception in 1987, and has made appearances in all tournaments thus far. Despite this, they experienced little success until the 2015 tournament, with just one victory over Zimbabwe in 1991, and two draws with Canada in 2007 and 2011. In 2015 they defeated South Africa with a score of 34–32, their first win since 1991 against Zimbabwe, which they followed up with victories over Samoa and USA in the same pool stage.

They will be the home team for the 2019 Rugby World Cup, which is to be held in Japan.

World Cup record									World Cup Qualification record
Year	Round	P	W	D	L	F	A		P	W	D	L	F	A
1987	Pool Stage	3	0	0	3	48	123		Automatically qualified
1991	Pool Stage	3	1	0	2	77	87		3	2	0	1	65	63
1995	Pool Stage	3	0	0	3	55	252		4	4	0	0	210	52
1999	Pool Stage	3	0	0	3	36	140		3	3	0	0	221	25
2003	Pool Stage	4	0	0	4	79	163		4	4	0	0	420	47
2007	Pool Stage	4	0	1	3	64	210		6	6	0	0	379	60
2011	Pool Stage	4	0	1	3	69	184		4	4	0	0	326	30
2015	Pool Stage	4	3	0	1	98	100		8	8	0	0	658	41
2019	To be determined								Automatically qualified
Total	8/8	28	4	2	22	526	1259		32	31	0	1	2279	318

Asian Rugby Championship

Asian Rugby Championship record
Year	Round	P	W	D	L	F	A
1969	Champions	4	4	0	0	191	35
1970	Champions	3	3	0	0	111	39
1972	Champions	4	4	0	0	167	4
1974	Champions	4	4	0	0	140	37
1976	Champions	4	4	0	0	194	21
1978	Champions	3	3	0	0	97	30
1980	Champions	4	4	0	0	265	21
1982	Runner-up	4	3	0	1	112	30
1984	Champions	4	4	0	0	202	23
1986	Runner-up	4	2	0	2	232	54
1988	Runner-up	4	3	0	1	223	43
1990	Runner-up	4	3	0	1	200	34
1992	Champions	3	3	0	0	225	12
1994	Champions	3	3	0	0	226	17
1996	Champions	2	2	0	0	242	22
1998	Champions	3	3	0	0	221	25
2000	Champions	3	3	0	0	164	41
2002	Runner-up	3	2	0	1	93	54
2004	Champions	2	2	0	0	69	12
2006–07	Champions	2	2	0	0	106	3
2008	Champions	4	4	0	0	310	58
2009	Champions	4	4	0	0	271	40
2010	Champions	4	4	0	0	326	30
2011	Champions	4	4	0	0	307	35
2012	Champions	4	4	0	0	312	11
2013	Champions	4	4	0	0	316	8
2014	Champions	4	4	0	0	342	33
2015	Champions	4	3	1	0	163	40
Total	23 titles	99	92	1	6	5827	812

Overall

World Rugby Rankings
Top 30 rankings as of 1 May 2016[13]
Rank	Change*	Team	Points
1		New Zealand	96.10
2		Australia	89.33
3		South Africa	87.66
4		England	83.98
5		Wales	83.10
6		Argentina	82.59
7		Ireland	80.33
8		France	78.36
9		Scotland	78.32
10		Japan	77.05
11		Fiji	76.96
12		Georgia	72.62
13		Tonga	71.60
14		Italy	70.78
15		Samoa	70.36
16		Romania	67.52
17		United States	65.68
18		Canada	64.27
19		Russia	63.56
20		Uruguay	63.23
21		Namibia	61.75
22		Spain	60.87
23		Belgium	57.94
24		Germany	57.71
25		Hong Kong	57.17
26		South Korea	56.70
27	1	Kenya	55.89
28	1	Chile	55.73
29		Ukraine	55.51
30		Portugal	54.29
*Change from the previous week
Japan's Historical Rankings
Source: World Rugby - Graph updated to 1 November 2015[13]

Below is table of the representative rugby matches played by a Japan national XV to 11 October 2015.^[14]

Opponent	Played	Won	Lost	Drawn	Win %	For	Aga	Diff
Arabian Gulf	3	3	0	0	100.00%	256	20	+236
Argentina	5	1	4	0	20.00%	139	205	−66
Australia	4	0	4	0	0.00%	58	220	−162
Australia A	4	0	4	0	0.00%	51	242	−191
Australian Universities	6	2	4	0	33.33%	60	90	−30
Emerging Wallabies	2	1	0	1	50.00%	41	39	+2
Canada	24	14	8	2	58.33%	586	559	+27
British Columbia Bears	6	2	2	2	33.33%	103	82	+21
Chinese Taipei	4	4	0	0	100.00%	474	27	+447
England	1	0	1	0	0.00%	7	60	−53
England XV	5	0	5	0	0.00%	71	131	−60
England Saxons	2	0	2	0	0.00%	30	92	−62
England Students	1	0	1	0	0.00%	0	43	−43
England Under-23's	2	0	2	0	0.00%	25	77	−52
Cambridge University	4	1	3	0	25.00%	52	110	−58
Oxford University	4	0	4	0	0%	28	130	−102
Oxford and Cambridge	3	0	3	0	0.00%	30	113	−83
Fiji	16	3	13	0	18.75%	287	429	−142
France	3	0	3	0	0.00%	68	128	−60
France XV	6	0	6	0	0.00%	31	272	−241
Georgia	4	3	1	0	75.00%	94	74	+20
Hong Kong	24	20	4	0	83.33%	1030	333	+697
Ireland	5	0	5	0	0.00%	83	251	−168
Ireland XV	2	0	2	0	0.00%	28	81	−53
Ireland Students	1	0	1	0	0.00%	12	24	−12
Italy	6	1	5	0	16.67%	90	199	−109
Kazakhstan	5	5	0	0	100.00%	418	23	+395
South Korea	32	25	6	1	71.43%	1342	475	+867
Netherlands	1	0	1	0	0.00%	13	15	−2
New Zealand	3	0	3	0	0.00%	30	282	−252
New Zealand XV	2	0	2	0	0.00%	4	180	−176
Junior All Blacks	8	1	7	0	12.50%	98	337	−239
Māori	1	0	1	0	0.00%	22	65	−43
New Zealand Universities	15	2	11	2	13.33%	221	417	−196
Philippines	2	2	0	0	100.00%	220	10	+210
Queensland Reds	1	0	1	0	0.00%	6	42	−36
Romania	5	4	1	0	80.00%	119	98	+21
Russia	5	4	1	0	80.00%	237	90	+147
Samoa	15	4	11	0	26.67%	273	482	−209
Scotland	5	0	5	0	0.00%	55	266	−211
Scotland XV	4	1	3	0	25.00%	64	165	−101
Singapore	1	1	0	0	100.00%	45	15	+30
South Africa	1	1	0	0	100.00%	34	32	+2
Spain	3	3	0	0	100.00%	114	43	+71
Sri Lanka	3	3	0	0	100.00%	266	29	+237
Thailand	1	1	0	0	100.00%	42	11	+31
Tonga	16	7	9	0	43.75%	379	440	−61
United Arab Emirates	3	3	0	0	100.00%	310	6	+304
United States	23	9	13	1	39.13%	526	655	−129
Uruguay	3	2	1	0	66.67%	88	32	+56
Wales	9	1	8	0	11.11%	129	493	−364
Wales XV	4	0	4	0	0.00%	56	229	−173
Welsh Clubs	1	0	1	0	0.00%	9	63	−54
Zimbabwe	1	1	0	0	100.00%	52	8	+44
Total	320	135	176	9	42.19%	8906	9034	−128

Tour

Wins against Tier 1 nations

3 June 1968	Japan	23–19	Junior All Blacks	Athletic Park, Wellington

28 May 1989	Japan	28–24	Scotland XV	Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium, Tokyo

15 September 1998	Japan	44–29	Argentina	Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium, Tokyo
	Try: McCormick Ohata Watanabe (2) Con: Murata (3) Pen: Murata (4) Drop: Ken Iwabuchi (2)	Report	Try: Corleto Ledesma Martín Pfister Con: Fuselli Lobrauco Drop: Fuselli	Attendance: 20,000 Referee: Giovanni Morandin (Italy)

15 June 2013	Japan	23–8	Wales	Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium, Tokyo
14:00 JST (UTC+9)	Try: Wing 49' c Broadhurst 60' c Con: Goromaru (2/2) 49', 61' Pen: Goromaru (3/3) 14', 34', 76'	Report	Try: Prydie 44' m Pen: Biggar (1/2) 21'	Attendance: 21,062 Referee: Greg Garner (England)

21 June 2014	Japan	26–23	Italy	Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium, Tokyo
14:00 JST (UTC+09)	Try: Yamada 4' c Sa'u 59' c Con: Goromaru (2/2) 5', 60' Pen: Goromaru (4/5) 13', 22', 42', 48'	Report (In Italian)[15]	Try: Penalty try 17' c Barbieri 74' c Con: Orquera (1/1) 17' Allan (1/1) 75' Pen: Orquera (3/3) 7', 35', 52'	Attendance: 13,816 Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)

19 September 2015	Japan	34–32	South Africa	Falmer Stadium, Brighton
16:45	Try: Leitch 30' c Goromaru 69' c Hesketh 80' m Con: Goromaru (2/3) 31', 70' Pen: Goromaru (5/6) 8', 43', 49', 53', 60'		Try: Louw 18' c B. Du Plessis 33' m De Jager 44' c Strauss 62' c Con: Lambie (2/3) 19', 45' Pollard (1/1) 63' Pen: Lambie (1/1) 54' Pollard (1/1) 73'	Referee: Jérôme Garcès (France)

Current squad

On 31 August, Japan announced their 31-man squad for the 2015 Rugby World Cup.^[16]

• Head Coach: Jamie Joseph

Caps updated: 11 October 2015

Player Position Date of Birth (Age) Caps Club/province Horie, ShotaShota Horie Hooker 21 January 1986 42 Sunwolves Kizu, TakeshiTakeshi Kizu Hooker 15 July 1988 41 Sunwolves Yuhara, HirokiHiroki Yuhara Hooker 21 January 1984 22 Toshiba Brave Lupus Hatakeyama, KensukeKensuke Hatakeyama Prop 2 August 1985 72 Newcastle Falcons Inagaki, KeitaKeita Inagaki Prop 2 June 1990 10 Sunwolves Mikami, MasatakaMasataka Mikami Prop 4 June 1988 32 Sunwolves Yamashita, HiroshiHiroshi Yamashita Prop 1 January 1986 49 Chiefs Ito, ShojiShoji Ito Lock 2 December 1980 35 Kobelco Steelers Makabe, ShinyaShinya Makabe Lock 26 March 1987 34 Sunwolves Ono, HitoshiHitoshi Ono Lock 6 May 1978 96 Sunwolves Thompson, LukeLuke Thompson Lock 16 April 1981 62 Kintetsu Liners Broadhurst, MichaelMichael Broadhurst Flanker 30 October 1986 26 Ricoh Black Rams Ives, JustinJustin Ives Flanker 24 May 1984 32 Canon Eagles Leitch, MichaelMichael Leitch (c) Flanker 7 October 1988 47 Chiefs Tui, HendrikHendrik Tui Flanker 13 December 1987 36 Queensland Reds Holani, RyuRyu Holani Number 8 25 October 1981 43 Panasonic Wild Knights Lelei Mafi, AmanakiAmanaki Lelei Mafi Number 8 11 January 1990 7 Bath Rugby Hiwasa, AtsushiAtsushi Hiwasa Scrum-half 22 May 1987 51 Sunwolves Tanaka, FumiakiFumiaki Tanaka Scrum-half 3 January 1985 53 Highlanders Tatekawa, HarumichiHarumichi Tatekawa Fly-half 2 December 1989 42 Sunwolves Ono, KoseiKosei Ono Fly-half 17 April 1987 32 Suntory Sungoliath Matsushima, KotaroKotaro Matsushima Centre 26 February 1993 16 Melbourne Rebels Sa'u, MaleMale Sa'u Centre 13 October 1987 26 Blues Tamura, YuYu Tamura Centre 9 January 1989 34 Sunwolves Wing, CraigCraig Wing Centre 26 December 1979 11 Kobelco Steelers Fujita, YoshikazuYoshikazu Fujita Wing 8 September 1993 28 Waseda University Fukuoka, KenkiKenki Fukuoka Wing 7 September 1992 16 Tsukuba University Hesketh, KarneKarne Hesketh Wing 1 August 1985 13 Munakata Sanix Blues Hirose, ToshiakiToshiaki Hirose Wing 17 October 1981 28 Toshiba Brave Lupus Yamada, AkihitoAkihito Yamada Wing 26 July 1985 15 Sunwolves Goromaru, AyumuAyumu Goromaru Fullback 1 March 1986 56 Queensland Reds Notable former players Toshiyuki Hayashi, legendary lock with Kobe Steel, Oxford and Japan. Seiji Hirao, centre, former Japan captain and coach of Japan (RWC1999). Keiji Hirose, top scorer for Japan ever. Kensuke Iwabuchi, the first Japanese to play professional rugby in England (for Saracens), also technical adviser to Sanix. Toru Kurihara, top scorer in one match worldwide, 60 points scored individually (6 Tries, 15 conversions). Sinali Latu – now coach of Daito Bunka University RFC. Yuji Matsuo, fly-half (stand-off), Shin-Nittetsu Kamaishi. Andrew Miller, fly half for Kobe Steel and Japan. Takuro Miuchi, Number 8 and former captain at 2007 RWC. Wataru Murata, player of Yamaha Jubilo. Daisuke Ohata, World Record test try scorer. Atsushi Oyagi, lock, Kobe Steel and Japan, now a TV personality (talento). Kenzo Suzuki, better known as a professional wrestler, Suzuki was capped for the national team as well. Yoshihito Yoshida, world class Japan wing, known especially on the Sevens circuit. Coaches Shigeru Kayama 1930–1934 Chuji Kitajima 1936, 1956 Takenosuke Okumura 1952–1953 Kozo Nishino 1958 Tomoo Chiba 1959 Masao Wada 1959 Kasai Yasujiro 1963 Onishi Tetsunosuke 1966–1971 Hitoshi Oka 1972, 1975, 1985–1986 Hisashi Yokoi 1972, 1976, 1978–1979 Ryo Saito 1974, 1976–1978, 1980–1981 Hiroshi Hibino 1976, 1982–1984, 1987–1988 Katsumi Miyaji 1978, 1984, 1987 Ryozo Imazato 1979 Iwao Yamamoto 1980, 1982, 1996 Hiroaki Shukuzawa 1989–1991 Osamu Koyabu 1992–1995 Seiji Hirao 1997–2000 Shogo Mukai 2001–2003 Mitsutake Hagimoto 2004–2005 Jean-Pierre Élissalde 2005–2006 Osamu Ota 2006 (Caretaker) John Kirwan 2007–2011 Eddie Jones 2012–2015 Scott Wisemantel 2013 (Caretaker)[10] Ryuji Nakatake April/May 2016 (Interim) [17] Mark Hammett June 2016 (Interim) [17] Jamie Joseph 2016– Individual all-time records Most matches # Player Pos Span Mat Start Sub Pts Tries Conv Pens Drop Won Lost Draw % 1. Hitoshi Ono Lock 2004– 96 76 20 65 13 0 0 0 60 33 3 64.06 2. Hirotoki Onozawa Wing 2001–2013 81 73 8 275 55 0 0 0 41 37 3 52.46 3. Yukio Motoki Centre 1991–2005 79 73 6 45 9 0 0 0 31 47 1 39.87 4. Kensuke Hatakeyama Prop 2008– 72 51 21 50 10 0 0 0 49 22 1 68.75 5. Takashi Kikutani Number 8 2005– 68 57 11 160 32 0 0 0 41 26 1 61.02 6. Takeomi Ito Number 8 1996–2005 63 40 23 30 6 0 0 0 26 36 1 42.06 7. Luke Thompson Lock 2007– 62 51 11 45 9 0 0 0 38 22 2 62.90 8. Daisuke Ohata Wing 1996–2006 58 55 3 345 69 0 0 0 27 30 1 47.41 9. Ayumu Goromaru Fullback 2005- 56 51 5 708 18 162 98 0 39 17 0 69.64 10. Fumiaki Tanaka Scrum-half 2008- 53 47 6 40 8 0 0 0 35 17 1 66.98 Last updated: Japan vs USA, 11 October 2015. Statistics include officially capped matches only.[18] Most tries # Player Pos Span Mat Start Sub Pts Tries Conv Pens Drop 1. Daisuke Ohata Wing 1996–2006 58 55 3 345 69 0 0 0 2. Hirotoki Onozawa Wing 2001–2013 81 73 8 275 55 0 0 0 3. Takashi Kikutani Number 8 2005– 68 57 11 160 32 0 0 0 4. Terunori Masuho Wing 1991–2001 47 46 1 147 29 1 1 0 5. Yoshikazu Fujita Wing 2012– 28 20 8 130 26 0 0 0 6. Ryu Holani Number 8 2008–2014 43 38 5 110 22 0 0 0 7. Alisi Tupuailei Centre 2009–2011 20 13 7 105 21 0 0 0 8. Toru Kurihara Wing 2000–2003 28 23 5 347 20 71 35 0 9. Tadayuki Ito Wing 1963–1974 19 18 1 63 19 0 0 0 Yoshihito Yoshida Wing 1988–1997 31 30 1 97 19 7 1 0 Last updated: Japan vs USA, 11 October 2015. Statistics include officially capped matches only.[19] Most points # Player Pos Span Mat Start Sub Pts Tries Conv Pens Drop 1. Ayumu Goromaru Fullback 2005– 56 51 5 708 18 162 98 0 2. Keiji Hirose Fly-half 1994–2005 40 34 6 422 5 77 79 2 3. Toru Kurihara Wing 2000–2003 28 23 5 347 20 71 35 0 4. Daisuke Ohata Wing 1996–2006 58 55 3 345 69 0 0 0 5. James Arlidge Fly-half 2007–2011 32 23 9 286 8 78 28 2 6. Hirotoki Onozawa Wing 2001–2013 81 73 8 275 55 0 0 0 7. Shaun Webb Fly-half 2008–2011 35 26 9 198 18 45 6 0 8. Ryan Nicholas Centre 2008–2012 38 37 1 193 9 53 14 0 9. Takashi Kikutani Number 8 2005–2014 68 57 11 160 32 0 0 0 10. Terunori Masuho Wing 1991–2001 47 46 1 147 29 1 1 0 Last updated: Japan vs USA, 11 October 2015. Statistics include officially capped matches only.[20] Most points in a match # Player Pos Pts Tries Conv Pens Drop Opposition Venue Date 1. Toru Kurihara Wing 60 6 15 0 0  Chinese Taipei Tainan 21/07/2002 2. Daisuke Ohata Wing 40 8 0 0 0  Chinese Taipei Tokyo 21/07/2002 3. Ayumu Goromaru Fullback 37 1 16 0 0  Sri Lanka Nagoya 10/05/2014 4. Ayumu Goromaru Fullback 36 1 14 1 0  Philippines Fukuoka 20/04/2013 5. Toru Kurihara Wing 35 2 11 1 0  South Korea Tokyo 16/06/2002 6. Keiji Hirose Fly-half 34 1 1 9 0  Tonga Tokyo 08/05/1999 7. Ayumu Goromaru Fullback 32 2 11 0 0  Kazakhstan Almaty 28/04/2012 8. Keiji Hirose Fly-half 31 0 11 3 0  Hong Kong Tokyo 08/05/2005 9. 4 players on 30 points Last updated: Japan vs USA, 11 October 2015. Statistics include officially capped matches only.[21] Most tries in a match # Player Pos Pts Tries Conv Pens Drop Opposition Venue Date 1. Daisuke Ohata Wing 40 8 0 0 0  Chinese Taipei Tokyo 07/07/2002 2. Toru Kurihara Wing 60 6 15 0 0  Chinese Taipei Tainan 21/07/2002 Daisuke Ohata Wing 30 6 0 0 0  Hong Kong Tokyo 08/05/2005 Yoshikazu Fujita Wing 30 6 0 0 0  United Arab Emirates Fukuoka 05/05/2012 5. Terunori Masuho Wing 25 5 0 0 0  Chinese Taipei Singapore 27/10/1998 Kosuke Endo Wing 25 5 0 0 0  South Korea Daegu 01/05/2010 Alisi Tupuailei Centre 25 5 0 0 0  Sri Lanka Colombo 21/05/2011 8. 10 players on 4 tries Last updated: Japan vs USA, 11 October 2015. Statistics include officially capped matches only.[22] Most matches as captain # Player Pos Span Mat Won Lost Draw % Pts Tries Conv Pens Drop 1. Takuro Miuchi Number 8 2002–2008 45 17 27 1 38.88 30 6 0 0 0 2. Takashi Kikutani Number 8 2008–2013 34 21 12 1 63.23 110 22 0 0 0 3. Toshiaki Hirose Wing 2012–2013 18 13 5 0 72.22 45 9 0 0 0 Michael Leitch Lock 2014- 18 15 3 0 83.33 25 5 0 0 0 5. Masahiro Kunda Hooker 1993–1998 14 5 9 0 35.71 0 0 0 0 0 6. Yukio Motoki Centre 1996–1997 12 4 8 0 33.33 5 1 0 0 0 7. Seiji Hirao Centre 1989–1991 11 5 6 0 45.45 0 0 0 0 0 5. Toshiyuki Hayashi Lock 1986–1987 10 1 8 1 15.00 0 0 0 0 0 Andrew McCormick Centre 1998–1999 10 4 6 0 40.00 5 1 0 0 0 Akira Yokoi Centre 1970–1974 10 3 6 1 35.00 0 0 0 0 0 Last updated: Japan vs USA, 11 October 2015. Statistics include officially capped matches only.[23] Youngest players # Player Pos Age Opposition Venue Date 1. Yoshikazu Fujita Wing 18 years and 210 days  United Arab Emirates Fukuoka 05/05/2012 2. Christian Loamanu Wing 18 years and 338 days  Uruguay Montevideo 16/04/2005 3. Ayumu Goromaru (Fullback) 19 years and 46 days  Uruguay Montevideo 16/04/2005 4. Terunori Masuho Wing 19 years and 95 days  United States Chicago 04/05/1991 5. Seiji Hirao Centre 19 years and 129 days New Zealand Universities Pukekohe 30/05/1982 6. Kenji Shomen (Fly-half) 19 years and 165 days  South Korea Ulsan 13/10/2002 7. Yoshihito Yoshida Wing 19 years and 226 days Oxford University Tokyo 01/10/1988 8. Yukio Motoki (Centre) 19 years and 243 days  United States Blaine 27/04/1991 9. Tsuyoshi Fujita Hooker 19 years and 251 days  Netherlands Hilversum 04/10/1980 10. Kousuke Fujii (Lock) 19 years and 306 days  Samoa Apia 10/06/2000 Last updated: Japan vs USA, 11 October 2015. Statistics include officially capped matches only.[24] Oldest players # Player Pos Age Opposition Venue Date 1. Hitoshi Ono Lock 37 years and 150 days  Samoa Milton Keynes 03/10/2015 2. Wataru Murata Scrum-half 37 years and 145 days  Ireland Tokyo 19/06/2005 3. Ross Thompson Number 8 35 years and 341 days  Canada Vancouver 21/06/1998 4. Craig Wing (Centre) 35 years and 289 days  United States Gloucester 11/10/2015 5. Hirotoki Onozawa Wing 35 years and 71 days  Wales Osaka 08/06/2013 6. Hayden Hopgood Lock 35 years and 30 days  Uruguay Tokyo 29/08/2015 7. Glen Marsh Flanker 34 years and 316 days  Junior All Blacks Tokyo 24/06/2007 8. Goshi Tachikawa Fullback 34 years and 219 days  Samoa Tokyo 02/07/2011 9. Takashi Kikutani (Number 8) 34 years and 82 days  South Korea Incheon 17/05/2014 10. George Konia Centre 34 years and 79 days  United States Gosford 27/10/2003 Last updated: Japan vs USA, 11 October 2015. Statistics include officially capped matches only.[25] See also Rugby union in Japan References Brave Blossoms break into top ten "Japan pull off greatest shock in World Cup history". ESPN. 19 September 2015. Retrieved 21 September 2015. "Rugby World Cup: Japan’s Shocking Upset Commands Attention". New York Times. 21 September 2015. Retrieved 7 October 2015. "Japan beat South Africa in greatest Rugby World Cup shock ever". Guardian. 19 September 2015. Retrieved 21 September 2015. "Elissalde sacked as Japan coach". "Eddie Jones appointed coach of Japan". Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. December 26, 2011. Retrieved 25 February 2012. JRFU (May 2, 2012). "Fujita in line for historic debut". "Eddie Jones hospitalised after Japan rugby coach suffers suspected stroke – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)". Retrieved 2013-10-17. "Eddie Jones released from intensive care after stroke but will miss Japan's Test with All Blacks". Retrieved 2013-10-18. "Scott Wisemantel is interim coach for Japan". Retrieved 2013-10-18. "Rugby World Cup 2015: South Africa 32–34 Japan". 2015-09-19. Retrieved 2015-09-19. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/34492412 "World Rankings". World Rugby. Retrieved 22 April 2016. "Rugby Union - ESPN Scrum - Statsguru - Test matches - Team records". ESPN scrum. "Italy lose 26–23 to Japan in Tokyo" (in Italian). "Jones opts for versatility in naming RWC 2015 squad". Rugby World Cup. 31 August 2015. Retrieved 31 August 2015. "Hammett, Nakatake assigned interim coaching duties for Brave Blossoms". The Japan Times. 10 March 2016. Retrieved 10 March 2016. "Rugby Union - Japan - Most matches - ESPN Scrum". ESPN scrum. "Rugby Union - Japan - Most individual tries - ESPN Scrum". ESPN scrum. "Rugby Union - Japan - Most individual points - ESPN Scrum". ESPN scrum. "Rugby Union - Japan - Most individual points in a match - ESPN Scrum". ESPN scrum. "Rugby Union - Japan - Most individual tries in a match - ESPN Scrum". ESPN scrum. "Rugby Union - Japan - Most matches as a captain - ESPN Scrum". ESPN scrum. "Rugby Union - Japan - Youngest appearance - ESPN Scrum". ESPN scrum. "Rugby Union - Japan - Oldest appearance - ESPN Scrum". ESPN scrum. External links Japan RFU English pages Japan Times Articles by Rich Freeman – Japan Times rugby correspondent until 2005, then at the Daily Yomiuri 41st University Rugby Championship Japan RFU – in Japanese Japanese rugby union news from Planet Rugby