How rugby in Japan has grown

Japan Rugby League One bosses are expecting strong support for the final two weekends of the season after the
competition surpassed one million spectators in a season for the first time prior to the commencement of the
final’s series.

The league achieved an overall combined attendance of more than a million in its first two years, 42,000 of whom
attended last year’s final.
The maiden season of the league in 2020-21 was heavily disrupted by the global Covid-19 pandemic, with many
matches cancelled, which limited the overall attendance achieved.

Over 750,000 people attended matches in season two, meaning the league has attracted 250,000 more fans this
time with its biggest matches still to come, including next week’s final which will be held at the National Stadium
in Tokyo, a venue that has a capacity of 68,000.

Encouragingly, many of the fans who have attended matches this season are identified as newcomers to the
league/game, who have been drawn to the event by the activities of the various clubs in their local communities.
Chief Operating Officer Hajime Shoji said realising greater levels of fan engagement – an important part of the
league’s values – had been a key aim for the third edition, as had been achieving a million spectators in a single
season for the first time.

The semi-finals – between the six-time champions of Japan, Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights, and Yokohama
Canon Eagles, as well as the clash of the five-time national champions, Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath, against Toshiba
Brave Lupus Tokyo – will be held on Saturday and Sunday at Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium in downtown
Tokyo.

“The four clubs who have qualified for the semi-finals in Division One each have large supporter bases, and we are
confident that there will be a big turnout from their fans to support them in this weekend’s games,” Shoji said.
“The Fuchu Derby [between Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo and Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath] is a traditional west Tokyo
rivalry and always brings out the fans, while the supporters from Saitama [Panasonic Wild Knights] and Yokohama
[Canon Eagles] turned out in large numbers when the teams played in last year’s semi-final, and I’m sure we will
see the same again.”

Although Kubota Spears Funabashi Tokyo Bay failed to defend their title, missing out on the final four, the side
they beat in last season’s decider, Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights, have emerged as a strong favourite after
completing a 16-game unbeaten run in the regular season.

They face Yokohama Canon Eagles on Saturday, in a replay of last season’s semi-final, while Tokyo-based sides,
Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo and Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath, meet to decide the other finalist on Sunday.
“It’s all on the day,” Japan Rugby League One chairman Genichi Tamatsuka noted.
“The four teams that made the semi-finals have proven themselves to be the best, although the competition
keeps improving, with more great players coming in from overseas, and the standard of the local Japanese lifting
as a result.

“One of the league’s purposes is to increase the number of talented players who are available for the Brave
Blossoms, and I think every year that the playing standard, and the level of competition between the teams rises,
the more we will achieve that as a league.”
Saturday also sees the beginning of The Replacement Battles, a two-legged promotion/relegation series featuring
eight teams, with the attendance from the eight matches also contributing to the season’s final crowd total.
The bumper crowd figures – an overall increase of 25 percent – have added to the positivity surrounding the
league, which expands next season with further teams added.

In an era where professional club competitions are contracting elsewhere, Japan Rugby League One will welcome
three new clubs, Secom Rugguts (based in Saitama), Yakult Levins (Toda) and LeRIRO Fukuoka (Ukiha city).
The addition of the new teams raises the number of participating clubs in the league to 26, with Division Two
expanding from this year’s six teams to eight, while Division Three increases from five to six.

“After the difficulties experienced around the world by the Covid-19 pandemic, whose timing meant that we
kicked off Japan Rugby League One in an uncertain world, the consolidation last year and increased crowds and
interest of new clubs wanting to join after this season, is very pleasing,” Shoji said.
“Everyone across the league, at the clubs, our league staff, and our very supportive sponsors, have worked hard to
make Japan Rugby League One a success.

“But we all know that there is still plenty to do to further consolidate the league, thereby growing the game’s
footprint across the country, and the world’s interest in rugby in Japan.”