Japan U20 Squad Named for Three-Match New Zealand Tour
The Japan Rugby Football Union is delighted to announce the 28-player Japan U20 squad for the team’s upcoming three-match tour of New Zealand. Running from May 16–31, the tour will form a key part of Japan’s preparations for the World Rugby Junior Championship 2026 in Georgia, which will take place from June 27 to July 18.
Comprising 15 forwards and 13 backs, the squad is drawn primarily from players competing in Japan’s university competition, with front rower Keitatsu Motoyama the sole exception. The impressive 19-year-old tighthead prop, who tips the scales at 113kg, is already contracted to JRLO Division One side Shizuoka BlueRevs.
Japan U20 will open the tour against a Hawke’s Bay development side on Wednesday, May 20, before a two-match series against New Zealand Universities, beginning on Tuesday, May 26. The tour will conclude at FMG Stadium in Hamilton, where the visitor’s second match against New Zealand Unis will be played as the curtain-raiser for the Round 16 Super Rugby Pacific clash between the Chiefs and Blues on Saturday, May 30.
With Japan drawn alongside New Zealand, Italy and Scotland in Pool B of the World Championships, the opportunity to play three matches against strong New Zealand opposition should provide invaluable preparation ahead of the tournament in Tbilisi.
Japan U20 2026 New Zealand Tour Squad
Forwards (15)
| Pos. | Name | Uni / Club Team | Height(cm) | Weight(kg) | DOB |
| LHP | Keigo ARUGA | Teikyo Univ. | 171 | 102 | 2006/7/18 |
| LHP | Songha LEE | Doshisha Univ. | 178 | 103 | 2006/2/28 |
| HO | Seia KAWANAI | Kwansei Gakuin Univ. | 177 | 98 | 2006/11/23 |
| HO | Sota MIURA | Teikyo Univ. | 177 | 102 | 2006/10/2 |
| THP | Kanta KAWAGOE | Kwansei Gakuin Univ. | 181 | 110 | 2006/9/22 |
| THP | Haruto SASAKI | Meiji Univ. | 176 | 111 | 2006/5/2 |
| THP | Keitatsu MOTOYAMA | SHIZUOKA BlueRevs | 188 | 113 | 2006/12/26 |
| LO | Masato HYAKUTAKE | Meiji Univ. | 187 | 108 | 2006/4/24 |
| LO | Masato YANASE | Kwansei Gakuin Univ. | 184 | 102 | 2006/6/28 |
| LO | Taiga YAMAZAKI | Keio Univ. | 189 | 103 | 2006/10/5 |
| FL | Ryosuke SATO | Ryutsu Keizai Univ. | 177 | 98 | 2006/1/28 |
| FL | Seiichiro NISHINO | Keio Univ. | 184 | 96 | 2007/1/22 |
| FL | Riku FUJIKUBO | Teikyo Univ. | 181 | 100 | 2006/7/17 |
| NO8 | Shoichi SUDO | Meiji Univ. | 176 | 102 | 2007/8/8 |
| NO8 | Akihiro TSUBONE | Teikyo Univ. | 185 | 105 | 2006/3/14 |
Backs (13)
| Pos. | Name | Uni / Club Team | Height(cm) | Weight(kg) | DOB |
| SH | Natsu NARA | Ryutsu Keizai Univ. | 168 | 72 | 2006/8/21 |
| SH | Naohiro MOTOHASHI | Tsukuba Univ. | 178 | 81 | 2008/2/12 |
| SO | Yutaro SUGIYAMAI | Tsukuba Univ. | 174 | 80 | 2007/8/12 |
| SO | Takeru NIWA | Doshisha Univ. | 172 | 75 | 2006/10/1 |
| CTB | Rio IWAKURA | Yamanashi Gakuin Univ. | 177 | 90 | 2006/8/5 |
| CTB | Tsunehidemichi FUKUDA | Teikyo Univ. | 171 | 76 | 2007/5/17 |
| CTB | Sora HAYASHI | Teikyo Univ. | 181 | 95 | 2007/5/4 |
| CTB | Rui YOSHIDA | Teikyo Univ. | 176 | 85 | 2006/6/5 |
| WTB | Shinnosuke UCHIDA | Tsukuba Univ. | 167 | 73 | 2006/7/6 |
| WTB | Seren KUSUMI | Tenri Univ. | 176 | 83 | 2006/6/19 |
| WTB | Isa FUKADA | Tsukuba Univ. | 172 | 80 | 2006/12/12 |
| FB | Ryuto KOGA | Meiji Univ. | 184 | 86 | 2006/7/17 |
| FB | Kohaku SUDA | Hosei Univ. | 172 | 78 | 2007/12/14 |