Japanese Rugby U-Turns on Limits on Naturalised Players
The league reversed proposed restrictions after 24 players sued, and it will now treat naturalized players as qualifying for the top category.
- On Friday, Japan Rugby League One announced it reached a settlement with 24 foreign-born players, ending a legal challenge over eligibility rules for naturalized athletes in the domestic competition.
- In April, the group filed suit with the Tokyo District Court, arguing the league's proposed rule limiting matchday squad participation for those lacking six years of Japanese education unfairly restricted their livelihoods.
- Players including Timothy Lafaele, who starred for Japan in the 2019 Rugby World Cup quarter-finals, challenged the rule claiming discrimination against those with Japanese passports but born elsewhere.
- Under the revised agreement, players who acquired Japanese citizenship before the end of May 2025 will be treated as native-born, ensuring they maintain top-tier eligibility within the league.
- The settlement reflects broader tensions surrounding Japan's shrinking workforce and immigration policies, as officials seek to boost the pool of Japan-born players amid demographic challenges.
14 Articles
14 Articles
Radio France Internationale
Japanese rugby U-turns on limits on naturalised players
Japan Rugby League One (JRLO) planned to introduce a new rule from next season that would limit the number of players in a matchday squad who had not completed at least six years of compulsory education in Japan, even if they were naturalised citizens. Players who were born or fully schooled in Japan, or who had a Japanese parent or grandparent, would be assigned to a different category. A group of 24 foreign-born players, including several who …
On the 28th, League One, Japan's top rugby league, announced revisions to its player registration system, which will be implemented from the 2026-27 season. The new system will treat foreign-born players who acquire Japanese citizenship the same as Japanese-born players. This decision stems from concerns that the previous system was unfair…
Winnipeg Free Press
Japanese rugby officials roll back restrictions on some foreign-born players
TOKYO (AP) — Rugby officials in Japan on Friday said they have reached a settlement to allow players with Japanese nationality, but who were born elsewhere, to qualify for the top eligibility category in domestic Rugby League One.
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