PRESS CONFERENCE
New Restrictions on Foreign-Born Rugby Players
Timothy Lafaele, Professional Rugby Player
Seiji Makino, Kensei Law Offices

10:00-11:00 Thursday, July 30, 2026

Language: The speech and Q & A will be in Japanese with English interpretation.

Japanese professional rugby has become embroiled in a legal dispute after adopting new rules that limit the number of foreign-born players, even if they hold Japanese citizenship.

Under the new eligibility rules taking effect next season, Japan Rugby League One will no longer classify a player as domestic unless they have completed at least six years of elementary or junior high school-level education in Japan. Those who don't meet this standard will be treated as international players, whose numbers are restricted, regardless of their citizenship.

The change marks a significant departure from previous rules, under which both players with Japanese citizenship and those registered with the Japan Rugby Football Union for at least four years were generally treated the same as Japanese-born players. The dispute is particularly significant because rugby has traditionally taken a more inclusive approach to eligibility than most international sports.

Twenty-four foreign-born players have launched a legal challenge, arguing that the rules amount to discrimination based on birthplace and a retroactive changing of the rules. They have filed complaints with the Japan Fair Trade Commission and sought an injunction from the Tokyo District Court to prevent the new rules from taking effect.

The Rugby Union maintains the changes are necessary to promote the development of players raised through Japan’s own rugby system and to strengthen the future of Japanese rugby. Come to the FCCJ to hear a player involved in the legal challenge and the group's attorney explain their action and what they believe this dispute means for the future of rugby in Japan.　

How to attend: 
Please register by emailing front@fccj.or.jp with your name and the name of your media outlet. FCCJ members should also include their membership number. Doors will open 15 minutes before the event.

How to watch online: https://www.youtube.com/c/FCCJchannel/live  

How to ask questions: https://forms.gle/ZVk9iFrwsZYtyBCcA

TV crew: Please make a reservation at front@fccj.or.jp. Doors open for TV crews only at 30 minutes before the event. FCCJ will limit live-streaming of FCCJ-hosted press conferences to Club members only. Non-members will no longer be permitted to live-stream these events. However, non-members may still film for reporting purposes and use footage after the press conference.

Professional Activities Committee