Japan

With our World Cup over a year away, it’s worth taking a look at what lessons the rugby union can learn from the recent football World Cup.

Japan Rugby has confirmed that they have received over 38,000 applications for the volunteer program for the upcoming edition of the World Cup next year.

All Blacks legend Dan Carter is set to kick-start his final phase of a glittering career as he has landed in Japan and started his training after signing a two-year deal with Kobelco Steelers.

South Africa international Duane Vermeulen is set to make his debut in the Japanese Top League after signing a deal with Kubota Spears ahead of the 2018/19 season.

Japan came up with a dominating performance at Toyota Stadium on Saturday as they blanked out Georgia 28-0 in their final game of June internationals.

Ireland managed to seal a place in the World Rugby U20 Championship 2019 as they edged out Japan in the 11th place play-off in Beziers on Sunday.

Italy registered their first win of the year as they edged out Japan with a 22-25 margin at Noevir Stadium to level the two-game series 1-1.

A dominant second-half performance from Japan saw them beat Italy 34-17 at Oita Stadium on Saturday.

Wales managed to overcome a late try from Siosaia Fifita as they completed an 18-17 win over Japan in the World Rugby U20 Championship encounter at Perpignan.

Former Wallabies international George Smith has been released from detention in Japan after he was charged with allegedly assaulting a taxi driver while drunk.

Suntory Sungoliath managed to edge out Panasonic Wild Knights 12-8 in the final at Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground on Saturday to clinch the Top League title for the fifth time.

Fly-half Yu Tamura missed a regulation conversion at the closing stage as Japan missed a golden chance to register their first ever win over France on Saturday.

Rugby Rumours: Shark to Wasp, Carter moves East, Bristol entice Tiger and Moriarty a Dragon

Australia came up with a dominant nine-try performance as they trounced Japan 30-63 in Yokohama to warm-up for their European tour.

New Zealand will begin their title defence against South Africa as the fixtures for the 2019 World Cup to be played in Japan was unveiled on Thursday.

Having trouble in dealing cultural and language difference when you move to a new country? Here is a young Maori, who overcomes the hurdle in Japan using Rugby Union as the medium.

World Cup hosts Japan are behind on preparations for the 2019 tournament according to World Rugby with two years to go untill the competition gets underway.

As the preparations for the 2019 World Cup is in full swing, the host country Japan has announced a 46-day tour of all host cities and Top League teams with the showpiece event two years away.

The second round of the Rugby Women's World Cup 2017 saw New Zealand extend dominance over Hong Kong while England, Canada, France, USA and Ireland maintained their unbeaten streak.

New Zealand Rugby chief executive Steve Tew insisted that Japan will need more exposure at both the international and domestic level in order to be included in the Rugby Championship.