Japanese rugby rolls back on planned restrictions on certain foreign-born players
- Posted on August 28, 2026
- By South China Morning Post
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- 1 min read
In brief
Japan's premier rugby league has reversed its initial policy restricting foreign-born players with Japanese citizenship. Rugby League One now permits these dual-nationality athletes to compete, recognizing their legal status and contribution to the sport. This policy shift reflects a more inclusive approach to player eligibility, allowing naturalized citizens and those born abroad to Japanese parents to participate fully in domestic competition without discrimination based on birthplace.
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Japanese rugby rolls back on planned restrictions on certain foreign-born players
Top domestic competition Rugby League One will allow certain players with Japanese nationality, but who were born elsewhere, to qualify.
