JRFU & JICA Reconfirm Commitment to Asian Scrum Project
The JICA–JRFU Scrum Project forms a central component of the JRFU’s broader Asian Scrum Project, which supports rugby development and the nurturing of human resources through the deployment of Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV) with rugby expertise. These volunteers have played a pivotal role in advancing rugby in partner countries, particularly across Asia, while also contributing to capacity building within Japan through their international experience.
The renewed agreement expands the scope of the project to include contributions from personnel beyond rugby specialists, with a continued focus on promoting sound youth development, community engagement, and international goodwill. The project now covers all countries in which JICA dispatches its volunteers, with rugby positioned as a tool for positive social change and the development of future leaders.
Summary of the Agreement
Objective:
To harness the collaborative potential of the JRFU and JICA to build on the
legacy of Rugby World Cup 2019—Japan’s historic hosting of the first RWC in
Asia—and to support efforts to bring the tournament back to Japan in the
future. The Project aims to promote youth and social development in partner
countries through rugby, while simultaneously fostering the development and
expansion of rugby-related human resources in Japan.
Project
Period:
Five years through to 31 March 2030.
JRFU’s Role:
- Support the public promotion of JOCV activities, particularly those with a focus on rugby.
- Provide technical rugby-related advice and guidance to volunteers before and during their overseas assignments.
Key Activities (as of May 2025):
- 93 volunteers dispatched to 11 countries.
- Countries where JOCV rugby volunteers was dispatched: Indonesia, Laos, India, Sri Lanka, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyz Republic, Senegal, Madagascar, Fiji, Mongolia, and Nepal.
Through the extended collaboration, the JRFU and JICA reaffirm their joint dedication to using rugby as a powerful instrument for global engagement and development, helping to strengthen communities abroad while cultivating future rugby leaders at home.
Commenting on the announcement, Naofumi Yasui, Head of Project Implementation (CDO Dissemination and Training), JRFU said:
“I’m delighted that we have been able to re-establish this agreement that has deepened relationships with many countries by working together in unison within a rugby framework. Rugby has grown significantly in Asia over the past decade through the Rugby World Cup 2019 Legacy Programme and other activities. The partnership with JICA has contributed significantly to this growth.
“For countries where rugby is still a minor sport, holding the RWC in Asia is very important for the promotion of rugby in each country, enabling many players and children to experience and enjoy the sport. I look forward to continuing to work together to promote rugby and to develop human resources through the value of rugby as an ongoing legacy from RWC2019 and in preparation for Japan’s next World Cup bid”.
Takuya Otsuka, Director General, JICA Secretariat of Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers added”
“In 2025, the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers will celebrate the 60th anniversary of its first deployment in 1965. Since its inception in 2013, the Scrum Project has sent more than 90 rugby players to promote rugby and nurture young people through sport. In this time, it has achieved many great results. The re-signing of the cooperation agreement demonstrates the continued strength of the JICA-JRFU partnership.
“The JRFU has been supportive at every stage, from pre-deployment to supporting volunteers during their activities in-country. In addition to World Rugby’s core values of Integrity, Passion, Solidarity, Discipline, and Respect, the unique Japanese spirit of ‘No Side’ and ‘One for All, All for One’ is conveyed to people in developing countries. In recent years, we have expanded our projects to include not only Asia but also Africa and other parts of the world, and we hope that these activities will develop further and bring hope and possibilities to people around the world through rugby.
Shinichi Furukawa, Technical Adviser (Rugby), JICA Secretariat of Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers concluded:
“I was posted to Sri Lanka as a Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteer in 2013, and since then I have continued to be involved in the JRFU’s international cooperation projects as a JICA Technical Adviser (Rugby). Rugby has the power to connect people and build trust beyond language and culture. Through my activities in Sri Lanka, I have realised that sport can help boost the confidence of young people and revitalise communities. The collaboration between the JRFU and JICA also open up possibilities in countries where rugby is not yet widely popular. I hope that its power will be utilised in many more countries and regions in the future.”
