Wales summer fixtures in Japan confirmed

First up Wales head to Kitakyushu where the first Test takes place on 5 July at Mikuni World Stadium.

Following that the squad heads to Kobe for the second Test on July 12 at Noevir Stadium which, like Principality Stadium, features a retractable roof.

Kick off times and broadcast details will be confirmed in due course.

The first match will be a homecoming of sorts for Wales as they return to the city which hosted their Rugby World Cup training camp in 2019.

Having missed out on hosting World Cup matches, the people of Kitakyushu memorably welcomed Wales to their city as if they were their own long-lost sons.

Crowds packed out their training venue to watch the team make their final preparations for the tournament and sang rousing renditions of Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau. There will no doubt be some split loyalties among the Japanese fans at what promises to be a memorable match in this rugby mad city.

Wales and Japan have played 14 matches against each other with 13 wins for Wales and one for Japan. The very first international match between the two nations took place in Cardiff in October 1973 with Wales winning 62-14. The most recent meeting between the two sides was in November 2016 at Principality Stadium where the home side secured a 33-30 victory. 

WALES v JAPAN in history
19 November 2016: 33-30 (W) Cardiff
15 June 2013: 23-8 (L) Tokyo
8 June 2013: 18-22 (W) Osaka
20 September 2007: 72-18 (W) Cardiff
26 November 2004: 98-0 (W) Cardiff
17 June 2001: 30-53 (W) Tokyo
10 June 2001: 10-64 (W) Osaka
9 October 1999: 64-15 (W) Cardiff (RWC)
27 May 1995: 10-57 (W) Bloemfontein, South Africa (RWC)
16 Oct 1993: 55-5 (W) Cardiff
22 Oct 1983: 29-24 (W) Cardiff
24 September 1975: 6-82 (W) Tokyo
21 September 1975: 12-56 (W) Osaka
6 October 1973: 62-14 (W) Cardiff