JRFU Announce Men’s Fifteens Domestic Match Schedule
The Japan Rugby Football Union is delighted to announce the 2025 domestic match schedule for Japan’s national men’s fifteens sides – the Brave Blossoms and Japan XV.
The action kicks off with a non-capped fixture between the Japan XV and Māori All Blacks on June 28 at Tokyo’s historic Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium. Having defeated the Māori for the first time ever in their last meeting in Toyota City last July, the Japan XV will be looking to continue their winning streak, while players will be looking to earn a call-up to the Brave Blossoms test match squad.
The Brave Blossoms will then welcome Wales back to Japan for a two-test series in Kitakyushu on July 5 and Kobe on July 12. The first match will be a homecoming of sorts for the visitors 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 the Welsh 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 or Land of Our Fathers, the Welsh National Anthem. 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.
Japan will then play host to Canada on August 30 in Sendai, in the north of Japan’s main island, for their Pool B match in the 2025 Pacific Nations Cup. After having progressed through last year’s tournament undefeated, only to fall to Fiji in the Final in Higashi-Osaka, the Brave Blossoms will be looking to go all the way in 2025.
Finally, Japan will play host to Australia in a one-off test match on October 25, at Tokyo’s National Stadium. The Brave Blossoms will face the Wallabies for their first test since they hosted them in Oita back in 2021 and will be looking to record their first ever win against the two-time World Champions.
Commenting on the announcement, JRFU President, Masato Tsuchida said:
“I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to all our stakeholders for their support in enabling us to host Japan national team matches across the country in 2025.
“We are looking forward to seeing the continued and accelerated development of a new generation of young talent through initiatives such as the JAPAN TALENT SQUAD 2025, set to launch in February. Additionally, Japan Rugby League One, which features many national team players, is becoming increasingly competitive, delivering matches of world-class calibre. We eagerly anticipate the national team’s matches from June, with a squad honed to perform at the highest level.
“The JRFU are committed to ensuring that as many fans as possible can attend and enjoy these matches, and we look forward to seeing the success of these world-class athletes. With your support, we are confident in the continued growth and achievements of Japan’s national teams.”
Further domestic fixtures, including Sakura Fifteen matches will be announced as soon as details are finalised.
Japan Men’s National Team Domestic Match Schedule 2025
Saturday 28 June
Japan XV vs Māori All Blacks (non-capped match)
Lipovitan D Challenge Cup 2025
Chichibunomiya Rugby Ground, Tokyo
Saturday 5 July
Japan vs Wales
Lipovitan D Challenge Cup 2025
Mikuni World Stadium, Kitakyushu
Saturday 12 July
Japan vs Wales
Lipovitan D Challenge Cup 2025
Noevir Stadium, Kobe
Saturday 30 August
Japan vs Canada
Pacific Nations Cup 2025 (Pool B)
Yurtec Stadium, Sendai
Saturday 25 October
Japan vs Australia
Lipovitan D Challenge Cup 2025
National Stadium, Tokyo
Historical Match Results
Japan XV vs Māori All Blacks (non-test matches)
5 matches, 1 win, 4 losses
6 July 2024: 26-14 (W) Toyota City
29 June 2024: 36-10 (L) Tokyo
8 November 2014: 18-20 (L) Tokyo
1 November 2014: 21-61 (L) Hyogo
28 June 2008: 65-22 (L) Napier, New Zealand)
Brave Blossoms v Wales
14 matches, 1 win and 13 losses
19 November 2016: 33-30 (L) Cardiff, Wales
15 June 2013: 23-8 (W) Tokyo
8 June 2013: 18-22 (L) Osaka
20 September 2007: 72-18 (L) Cardiff, Wales
26 November 2004: 98-0 (L) Cardiff, Wales
17 June 2001: 30-53 (L) Tokyo
10 June 2001: 10-64 (L) Osaka
9 October 1999: 64-15 (L) Cardiff, Wales (RWC)
27 May 1995: 10-57 (L) Bloemfontein, South Africa (RWC)
16 Oct 1993: 55-5 (L) Cardiff, Wales
22 Oct 1983: 29-24 (L) Cardiff, Wales
24 September 1975: 6-82 (L) Tokyo
21 September 1975: 12-56 (L) Osaka
6 October 1973: 62-14 (L) Cardiff, Wales
Brave Blossoms vs Canada
32 games, 18 wins, 10 losses, 4 draws
25 August 2024: 28-55 (W) Vancouver, Canada
11 June 2016: 22-26 (W) Vancouver, Canada
18 July 2015: 20-6 (W) San Jose, USA
7 June 2014: 25-34 (W) Burnaby, Canada
19 June 2013: 16-13 (W) Toyota City
27 September 2011: 23-23 (D) Napier, New Zealand (RWC)
21 November 2009: 27-6 (W) Tokyo
15 November 2009: 46-8 (W) Miyagi
25 September 2007: 12-12 (D) Bordeaux, France (RWC)
29 May 2005: 10-15 (L) Tokyo
30 May 2004: 34-21 (W) Tokyo
8 July 2001: 39-7 (W) Tokyo
15 July 2000: 62-18 (L) Toronto
1 May 1999: 23-21 (W) Tokyo, Japan
20 June 1998: 25-34 (L) Vancouver, Canada
3 May 1998: 22-30 (L) Tokyo
14 June 1997: 42-18 (L) Vancouver, Canada
18 May 1997: 32-31 (W) Tokyo
13 July 1996: 51-30 (L) Vancouver, Canada
9 June 1996: 18-45 (L) Tokyo
11 May 1991: 49-26 (L) Vancouver, Canada
7 June 1986: 21-26 (W) Burnaby, Canada
18 April 1982: 16-6 (W) Tokyo
11 April 1982: 24-18 (W) Higashi-Osaka
12 May 1976: 38-7 (L) Burnaby, Canada
22 March 1970: 32-3 (W) Tokyo
13 April 1963: 6-33 (W) Vancouver, Canada
22 March 1959: 11-11 (D) Tokyo
15 March 1959: 17-21 (L) Osaka
11 February 1932: 38-5 (W) Tokyo
31 January 1932: 9-8 (W) Osaka
24 September 1930:3-3 (D) Vancouver, Canada
Brave Blossoms vs Australia
6 matches, 0 wins, 6 losses
23 October 2021: 23-32 (L) Oita
4 November 2017: 30-63 (L) Yokohama
8 September 2007: 3-91 (L) Lyon, France (RWC)
3 June 1987: 42-23 (L) Sydney, Australia (RWC)
17 Aug 1975: 50-25 (L) Brisbane, Australia
2 August 1975: 37-7 (L) Sydney, Australia
