Change in Japan's League One Eligibility Rules

Chief operating officer Hajime Shoji says Japan Rugby League One remains ‘open for business' as a premier destination for international players after this week’s adjustment around it’s eligibility rules with regards to non-capped foreign

players. The rules take effect from the start of the 2026-27 season. Previously players were divided into three categories, one which catered for internationally capped foreign test players (Category C - each team is allowed three), one covering non-capped foreign players (Category B), and a third that catered for players of Japanese background either by birth or long-term residency, along with foreign players who were nearing eligibility for the Brave Blossoms (Category A).

It is the latter which has been changed, in consultation with the clubs, with the Category A being split in two.

Category ‘A1’ will be formed of players who were born in Japan or have either one, or both, parents or grandparents,

born in Japan.

It will also include players who have completed six years of residency for the duration of the compulsory education

requirement in Japan (six years of elementary school and three years of junior high school) and have never played for

another test playing nation.

Category ‘A2’ will provide for players who have been registered exclusively with the Japan Rugby Football Union for four

years.

This is the term that was previously in place for all non-capped foreign players before they were considered as locals –

and were not included in their teams’ foreign quota cap.

The change will see foreign players in the ‘A2’ category once again being included in a team’s quota for international 

players who have not been capped by their countries.

Players who have not reached the ‘A1’ threshold for registration length but have played over 30 tests for Japan will be

included in the ‘A1’ category.

Players who have represented Japan, but have not played 30 tests, will be considered ‘A2’ players, although this status

will change once they achieve 30 test appearances.

These players will remain eligible for test selection, having already met World Rugby eligibility requirements.

“It is a difficult balance, but there are no exclusions. Players who have already played for the Brave Blossoms but have

not yet achieved either of the ‘A1’ requirements will still be able to play for their clubs, and they will be able to change

categories once they achieve qualification,” Mr Shoji said.

“Their situation will be no different to what it was when they were Category B players looking to attain ‘A’ status.”

Under the current system, teams must have at least 11 players from the A category participating at any one time.

Once the change comes into effect in the 2026-27 season, teams will always need eight players from the ‘A1’ category on

the field.

“No players are being ‘shut out’ of the system, we are simply looking to re-set the balance in favour a bit more towards

Japanese players as League One is, after all, a Japanese competition, and the growth of Japanese talent is a core part of

its objective,” Mr Shoji explained.

Such protections for local development are commonly used in other international sporting leagues, most notably in the

star-studded Indian Premier League (cricket) where young Indian players are thriving under a similar rule to such an extent

that 14-year-old Vaibhav Suravanshi hit the second fastest century in the history of the tournament last month.

Since it began four years ago, Division One has seen a massive increase in the number of players qualifying into Category

A because of long-term planning from clubs, who could then add other foreign players to their rosters once each recruit

had moved into the local (Category A) classification.

“It’s important to acknowledge that clubs have supported the change,” Mr Shoji said, “as it will assist with the

development work they are already undertaking to grow younger Japanese and bring them through to a level where they 

can play in League One.

“We are grateful for their support and the input they have had in the process.”

While League One quotas in the existing Category A classification boast several players who will drop into Category ‘A2’

under the change, Mr Shoji noted that many clubs in Divisions Two and Three still offered opportunities for these players

if they did leave their Division One clubs, with that transfer movement already under way prior to the eligibility

adjustment.

“Since League One began we have seen a number of players from Division One clubs move to Division Two and to a lesser

extent Division Three, which has strengthened the playing standard – and the excitement levels – in both competitions,

significantly.”

Such is the growth in strength in Division Two, five of the section’s eight clubs this season boasted flyhalves who had

played test rugby, with Freddie Burns (England), Quade Cooper (Australia), Rhys Patchell (Wales), Lima Sopoaga (New

Zealand and Samoa) and Tom Taylor (New Zealand) turning out for Toyota Industries Shuttles Aichi, Hanazono Kintetsu

Liners, NEC Green Rockets Tokatsu, Shimizu Corporation Koto Blue Sharks and Kyushu Electric Power Kyuden Voltex

respectively.

Division Three has also enjoyed a steady rise in the number of non-capped foreign players joining clubs.

“We are confident the learning and growth opportunities for Japanese players will increase with the change, without

lessening the attraction for foreign players to want to experience League One and bring with them the star attraction

which excites the fans,” Mr Shoji said.