Japan Rugby Football Union welcomes the outcome of World Rugby’s independent review, which determined that there was no basis for Asia Rugby’s suspension of the JRFU Chairman Mr. Kensuke Iwabuchi from his duties as an Asia Rugby EXCO member.
In the matter of the World Rugby investigation into the temporary suspension of the JRFU Chairman Mr. Kensuke Iwabuchi from the Asia Rugby Executive Committee, the Japan Rugby football Union welcomes the findings of the independent Disciplinary Officer, that Mr Iwabuchi’s conduct in relation to the matter did not breach any of Asia Rugby’s Articles of Association, Constitution and/or Code of Conduct and/or World Rugby Regulation 18.
JRFU is also pleased to note that the Disciplinary Officer concluded that Mr. Iwabuchi’s queries regarding the contents of certain documents that EXCO members were asked to sign were entirely reasonable and in fact were evidence “of good governance practice on his part”.
JRFU President Masato Tsuchida commented “JRFU is delighted that through this independent World Rugby led investigation, Mr. Iwabuchi’s reputation has been restored and Asia Rugby has been called out for its significant governance failures and lack of transparency”.
Mr. Tsuchida added “While the outcome is a relief for both Mr. Iwabuchi and the JRFU, the reckless behaviour of Asia Rugby in suspending Mr. Iwabuchi without any due process and issuing a vague and potentially defamatory press release at the time is very damaging to the reputation of Asia Rugby”.
“We were pleased to note in the correspondence that both parties received from World Rugby regarding the decision, that the Disciplinary Officer emphasised in the report that a fundamental principle of good governance is that disciplinary processes are clear and transparent, particularly to those individual(s) impacted by the process, and this was clearly not the case in relation to how Asia Rugby conducted itself in this matter.
As has been requested by World Rugby, JRFU expects Mr. Iwabuchi to be reinstated as an Executive Committee Member of Asia Rugby with immediate effect and will be writing to the President of Asia Rugby, Mr. Qais Al-Dhalai, requesting him to issue a public apology to Mr. Iwabuchi.
As a member of Asia Rugby, the JRFU will continue to strive to contribute to the establishment of transparent and sound management and governance of Asia Rugby” .