# Japan at the Rugby World Cup

The Japan national team have competed in every Rugby World Cup since the inaugural tournament in 1987. They are so far the only team to reach the Rugby World Cup through Asian regional qualifying. In 2019, they progressed to the quarterfinals for the first time in their participation, making them the first Asian team to do so in the tournament.
Their best performance was in the 2015 Rugby World Cup. Japan beat South Africa 34–32 in their first match of pool play, in what was described as the "greatest Rugby World Cup shock ever". They went on to beat Samoa and the United States in pool play. They won three games out of four in pool play, the same as Scotland and South Africa, but unlike the other two, Japan did not get any bonus points, so the other two qualified for the quarter-finals.
Japan's first victory was a 52–8 win over Zimbabwe at the 1991 tournament under coach Hiroaki Shukuzawa. Their worst defeat came at the 1995 Rugby World Cup, when they lost to New Zealand by 145–17, in a defeat blamed for setting the development of rugby union in Japan back by several years. Since then, in the 2003 World Cup, held in Australia, Japan coached by Shogo Mukai was hailed as the best of the so-called 'minnow' nations, gaining many new Japanese and overseas fans in the process, though the team still failed to win any games. In the 2007 Rugby World Cup, Japan managed a last-minute conversion to draw with Canada, and avoided coming last in Pool B. They did not win any games however, and did not reach the knockout stage of the tournament.
Japan hosted the tournament for the first time at the 2019 Rugby World Cup, reaching the quarter-finals.

## By position

| Rugby World Cup record | Rugby World Cup record | Rugby World Cup record | Rugby World Cup record | Rugby World Cup record | Rugby World Cup record | Rugby World Cup record | Rugby World Cup record | Rugby World Cup record | Rugby World Cup record | Qualification | Qualification | Qualification | Qualification | Qualification | Qualification | Qualification |
| Year | Round | Pld. | W | D | L | PF | PA | Squad | Head coach | Pos. | Pld. | W | D | L | PF | PA |
| 1987 | Pool stage | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 48 | 123 | Squad | K. Miyaji | Invited | Invited | Invited | Invited | Invited | Invited | Invited |
| 1991 | Pool stage | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 77 | 87 | Squad | H. Shukuzawa | 2nd | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 65 | 63 |
| 1995 | Pool stage | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 55 | 252 | Squad | O. Koyabu | 1st | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 252 | 28 |
| 1999 | Pool stage | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 36 | 140 | Squad | S. Hirao | 1st | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 221 | 25 |
| 2003 | Pool stage | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 79 | 163 | Squad | S. Mukai | 1st | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 420 | 47 |
| 2007 | Pool stage | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 64 | 210 | Squad | J. Kirwan | 1st | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 379 | 60 |
| 2011 | Pool stage | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 69 | 184 | Squad | J. Kirwan | 1st | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 326 | 30 |
| 2015 | Pool stage | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 98 | 100 | Squad | E. Jones | 1st | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 316 | 8 |
| 2019 | Quarter-finals | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 118 | 88 | Squad | J. Joseph | Automatic qualification | Automatic qualification | Automatic qualification | Automatic qualification | Automatic qualification | Automatic qualification | Automatic qualification |
| 2023 | Pool stage | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 109 | 107 | Squad | J. Joseph | Automatic qualification | Automatic qualification | Automatic qualification | Automatic qualification | Automatic qualification | Automatic qualification | Automatic qualification |
| 2027 | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | | | | | | | | Automatic qualification | Automatic qualification | Automatic qualification | Automatic qualification | Automatic qualification | Automatic qualification | Automatic qualification |
| 2031 | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined |
| Total | Quarter-finals | 37 | 10 | 2 | 25 | 753 | 1,454 | — | — | — | 28 | 27 | 0 | 1 | 1,979 | 261 |

## By match
### 1987

| Teamvte | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | T | Pts | Qualification |
| Australia | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 108 | 41 | +67 | 18 | 6 | Knockout stage |
| England | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 100 | 32 | +68 | 15 | 4 | Knockout stage |
| United States | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 39 | 99 | −60 | 5 | 2 | |
| Japan | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 48 | 123 | −75 | 7 | 0 | |
* 24 May 1987
| Japan | 18–21 | United States |
| Try: Taumoefolau (2) Yoshinaga Pen: Yoshinaga Kutsuki | | Try: Nelson Purcell Lambert Con: Nelson (3) Pen: Nelson |
* Ballymore, Brisbane Attendance: 4,000 Referee: Guy Maurette (France)
* 30 May 1987
| England | 60–7 | Japan |
| Try: Harrison (3) Underwood (2) Salmon Richards Redman Rees Simms Con: Webb (7) Pen: Webb (2) | | Try: Miyamoto Pen: Matsuo |
* Concord Oval, Sydney Attendance: 4,893 Referee: René Hourquet (France)
* 3 June 1987
| Australia | 42–23 | Japan |
| Try: Slack (2) Burke (2) Tuynman Grigg Hartill Campese Con: Lynagh (5) | | Try: Kutsuki (2) Fujita Con: Okidoi Pen: Okidoi (2) Drop: Okidoi |
* Concord Oval, Sydney Attendance: 8,785 Referee: Jim Fleming (Scotland)

### 1991

| Teamvte | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | Pts |
| Scotland | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 122 | 36 | +86 | 6 |
| Ireland | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 102 | 51 | +51 | 4 |
| Japan | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 77 | 87 | −10 | 2 |
| Zimbabwe | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 31 | 158 | −127 | 0 |
* 5 October 1991 (1991-10-05)
| Scotland | 47–9 | Japan |
| Tries: S. Hastings, Stanger, Chalmers, White, Penalty Try, Tukalo, G. Hastings Con: G. Hastings (5) Pen: G. Hastings (2), Chalmers | | Tries: Hosokawa Con: Hosokawa Drop: Hosokawa |
* Murrayfield, Edinburgh Referee: Ed Morrison (England)
* 9 October 1991 (1991-10-09)
| Ireland | 32–16 | Japan |
| Tries: Mannion (2), O’Hara, Staples Con: Keyes (2) Pen: Keyes (4) | | Tries: Hayashi, Kajihara, Yoshida Con: Hosokawa (2) |
* Lansdowne Road, Dublin Referee: Laikini Colati (Fiji)
* 14 October 1991 (1991-10-14)
| Japan | 52–8 | Zimbabwe |
| Tries: Yoshida (2), Mashuho (2), Kutsuki (2), Horikoshi, Luaiufi, Matsuo Con: Hosokawa (2) Pen: Hosokawa (4) | | Tries: Tsimba, Nguruve |
* Ravenhill, Belfast Referee: Rene Hourquet (France)

### 1995

| Teamvte | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | Pts |
| New Zealand | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 222 | 45 | +177 | 9 |
| Ireland | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 93 | 94 | −1 | 7 |
| Wales | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 89 | 68 | +21 | 5 |
| Japan | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 55 | 252 | −197 | 3 |
* 27 May 1995 (1995-05-27)
| Japan | 10–57 | Wales |
| Tries: Osamu Ota (2) | | Tries: Gareth Thomas (3), Ieuan Evans (2), Andrew Moore, Hemi Taylor Con: Neil Jenkins (5) Pen: Neil Jenkins (4) |
* Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein Attendance: 12 000 Referee: Efrahim Sklar (Argentina)
* 31 May 1995 (1995-05-31)
| Ireland | 50–28 | Japan |
| Tries: Neil Francis, Simon Geoghegan, David Corkery, Eddie Halvey, Niall Hogan Con: Paul Burke (6) Pen: Paul Burke | | Tries: Sinali Latu, Ko Izawa, Seiji Hirao, Masanori Takura Con: Yoshihito Yoshida (4) |
* Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein Attendance: 15 000 Referee: Stef Neethling (South Africa)
* 4 June 1995 (1995-06-04)
| Japan | 17–145 | New Zealand |
| Tries: Hiroyuki Kajihara (2) Con: Keiji Hirose (2) Pen: Keiji Hirose | | Tries: Marc Ellis (6), Eric Rush (3), Jeff Wilson (3), Robin Brooke (2), Glen Osborne (2), Richard Loe, Simon Culhane, Paul Henderson, Craig Dowd, Alama Ieremia Con: Simon Culhane (20) |
* Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein Attendance: 17 000 Referee: George Gadjovic (Canada)

### 1999

| Teamvte | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | Pts |
| Wales | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 118 | 71 | +47 | 7 |
| Samoa | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 97 | 72 | +25 | 7 |
| Argentina | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 83 | 51 | +32 | 7 |
| Japan | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 36 | 140 | −104 | 3 |
* 3 October 1999 (1999-10-03)
| Samoa | 43–9 | Japan |
| Tries: Brian Lima (2), Steven So'oialo (2), Silao Leaega Con: Silao Leaega (3) Pen: Silao Leaega (4) | | Pen: Keiji Hirose (3) |
* Racecourse Ground, Wrexham Referee: Andrew Cole (Australia)
* 9 October 1999 (1999-10-09)
| Wales | 64–15 | Japan |
| Tries: Mark Taylor, (2) Robert Howley, Scott Gibbs, David Llewellyn, Gareth Thomas, Allan Bateman, Shane Howarth Con: Neil Jenkins (8) Con: Neil Jenkins | | Tries: Patiliai Tuidraki, Daisuke Ohata Con: Keiji Hirose Pen: Keiji Hirose |
* Millennium Stadium, Cardiff Referee: Joel Dume (France)
* 16 October 1999 (1999-10-16)
| Argentina | 33–12 | Japan |
| Tries: Diego Albanese, Agustín Pichot Con: Felipe Contepomi Pen: Gonzalo Quesada (7) | | Pen: Keiji Hirose (4) |
* Millennium Stadium, Cardiff Referee: Stuart Dickinson (Australia)

### 2003

| Teamvte | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | BP | Pts | Qualification |
| France | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 204 | 70 | +134 | 4 | 20 | Quarter-finals |
| Scotland | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 102 | 97 | +5 | 2 | 14 | Quarter-finals |
| Fiji | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 98 | 114 | −16 | 2 | 10 | |
| United States | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 86 | 125 | −39 | 2 | 6 | |
| Japan | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 79 | 163 | −84 | 0 | 0 | |
* 11 October 2003 (2003-10-11)
| Scotland | 32–11 | Japan |
| Tries: Paterson (2), Grimes, Taylor, Danielli Con: Paterson, Townsend Pen: Paterson | | Tries: Onozawa Pen: Hirose (2) |
* Dairy Farmers Stadium, Townsville Attendance: 19,170 Referee: Stuart Dickinson (Australia)
* 18 October 2003 (2003-10-18)
| France | 51–29 | Japan |
| Tries: Michalak, Rougerie (2), Pelous, Dominici, Crenca Con: Michalak (5), Merceron Pen: Michalak (3) | | Tries: Konia, Ohata Con: Kurihara (2) Pen: Kurihara (5) |
* Dairy Farmers Stadium, Townsville Attendance: 21,309 Referee: Alan Lewis (Ireland)
* 23 October 2003 (2003-10-23)
| Fiji | 41–13 | Japan |
| Tries: Tuilevu (2), Ligairi (2), Vunibaka Con: Little (2) Pen: Little (4) | | Tries: Miller Con: Miller Pen: Miller Drop: Miller |
* Dairy Farmers Stadium, Townsville Attendance: 17,269 Referee: Nigel Whitehouse (Wales)
* 27 October 2003 (2003-10-27)
| Japan | 26–39 | United States |
| Tries: Kurihara, Ohata Con: Kurihara (2) Pen: Kurihara (4) | | Tries: Hercus, Eloff, Schubert, van Zyl, Khasigian Con: Hercus (4) Pen: Hercus (2) |
* Bluetongue Central Coast Stadium, Gosford Attendance: 19,653 Referee: Steve Walsh (New Zealand)

### 2007

| Pos | Teamvte | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | B | Pts | Qualification |
| 1 | Australia | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 215 | 41 | +174 | 4 | 20 | Qualified for the quarter-finals |
| 2 | Fiji | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 114 | 136 | −22 | 3 | 15 | Qualified for the quarter-finals |
| 3 | Wales | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 168 | 105 | +63 | 4 | 12 | Eliminated, automatic qualification for RWC 2011 |
| 4 | Japan | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 64 | 210 | −146 | 1 | 3 | |
| 5 | Canada | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 51 | 120 | −69 | 0 | 2 | |
* 8 September 2007 15:45
| Australia | 91–3 | Japan |
| Tries: Sharpe 18' m Elsom (3) 24' c, 34' m, 41' c Ashley-Cooper 46' c Latham (2) 53' c, 72' c Barnes (2) 57' c, 75' c Mitchell (2) 59' c, 66' c Smith 62' m Freier 80+' c Con: Mortlock (7/10) Giteau (3/3) Pen: Mortlock (2/2) 10', 16' | Report | Pen: K. Ono (1/1) 38' |
* Stade de Gerland, Lyon Attendance: 40,043 Referee: Alan Lewis (Ireland)
* 12 September 2007 18:00
| Japan | 31–35 | Fiji |
| Tries: Thompson (2) 51' c, 78' c Soma 62' m Con: Onishi (2/3) Pen: Onishi (4/4) 18', 30', 40+', 43' | Report | Tries: Qera (2) 36' c, 49' c Rabeni 56' m Leawere 71' c Con: Little (3/4) Pen: Little (3/3) 4', 55', 74' |
* Stadium de Toulouse, Toulouse Attendance: 34,500 Referee: Marius Jonker (South Africa)
* 20 September 2007 21:00
| Wales | 72–18 | Japan |
| Tries: A. W. Jones 11' c Hook 24' c T. R. Thomas 31' c Morgan 40+' m Phillips 42' c S. Williams (2) 48' m, 80' m D. James 52' c Cooper 59' c M. Williams (2) 64' c, 74' c Con: S. Jones (5/7) Sweeney (2/4) Pen: S. Jones (1/1) 23' | Report | Tries: Endo 19' m Onozawa 57' c Con: Robins (1/1) Pen: Onishi (2/2) 4', 37' |
* Millennium Stadium, Cardiff Attendance: 35,245 Referee: Joël Jutge (France)
* 25 September 2007 18:00
| Canada | 12–12 | Japan |
| Tries: Riordan 48' m Van der Merwe 65' c Con: Pritchard (1/1) | Report | Tries: Endo 12' m Taira 80+' c Con: Onishi (1/2) |
* Stade Chaban-Delmas, Bordeaux Attendance: 33,810 Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa)

### 2011

Japan lost to New Zealand, Tonga and France, but managed to draw with Canada.
| Pos | Teamvte | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | T | B | Pts | Qualification |
| 1 | New Zealand | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 240 | 49 | +191 | 36 | 4 | 20 | Advanced to the quarter-finals and qualified for the 2015 Rugby World Cup |
| 2 | France | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 124 | 96 | +28 | 13 | 3 | 11 | Advanced to the quarter-finals and qualified for the 2015 Rugby World Cup |
| 3 | Tonga | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 80 | 98 | −18 | 7 | 1 | 9 | Eliminated but qualified for 2015 Rugby World Cup |
| 4 | Canada | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 82 | 168 | −86 | 9 | 0 | 6 | |
| 5 | Japan | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 69 | 184 | −115 | 8 | 0 | 2 | |
* 10 September 2011
| France | 47–21 | Japan |
| Tries: Pierre 4' c Trinh-Duc 11' c Clerc 33' m Naller 70' c Pape 76' c Parra 81' m Con: Yachvili (4/6) Pen: Yachvili (3/3) 21', 28', 66' | Report | Tries: Arlidge (2) 30' m, 48' c Con: Arlidge (1/2) Pen: Arlidge (3/4) 17', 39', 57' |
* North Harbour Stadium, Auckland
* 16 September 2011
| New Zealand | 83–7 | Japan |
| Tries: Smith 3' c Kahui (2) 15' m, 44' c Kaino 21' m Mealamu 29' c Ellis 33' c Slade 35' c Williams (2) 50' c, 78' c Toeava 55' c Hore 59' m Nonu 61' m Thomson 76' c Con: Slade (9/13) | Report | Tries: Onozawa 57' c Con: Williams (1/1) |
* Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
* 21 September 2011
| Tonga | 31–18 | Japan |
| Tries: Ma'afu 6' m Lokotui 14' c Vainikolo 53' c Con: Morath (2/3) Pen: Morath (4/4) 29', 31', 49', 67' | Report | Tries: Hatakeyama 13' m Leitch 25' m Tupuailai 62' m Con: Arlidge (0/3) Pen: Webb (1/1) 39' |
* Okara Park, Whangārei
* 27 September 2011
| Canada | 23–23 | Japan |
| Tries: Van der Merwe 6' c Mackenzie 43' m Monro 74' m Con: Pritchard (1/1) Monro (0/2) Pen: Monro (2/3) 63', 78' | Report | Tries: Horie 9' c Endo 39' c Tupuailai 62' m Con: Arlidge (2/2) Pen: Arlidge (3/3) 23', 65', 72' |
* McLean Park, Napier

### 2015

| Pos | Teamvte | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | T | B | Pts | Qualification |
| 1 | South Africa | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 176 | 56 | +120 | 23 | 4 | 16 | Advanced to the quarter-finals and qualified for the 2019 Rugby World Cup |
| 2 | Scotland | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 136 | 93 | +43 | 14 | 2 | 14 | Advanced to the quarter-finals and qualified for the 2019 Rugby World Cup |
| 3 | Japan | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 98 | 100 | −2 | 9 | 0 | 12 | Eliminated but qualified for 2019 Rugby World Cup |
| 4 | Samoa | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 69 | 124 | −55 | 7 | 2 | 6 | |
| 5 | United States | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 50 | 156 | −106 | 5 | 0 | 0 | |
* 19 September 2015 16:45
| South Africa | 32–34 | Japan |
| Try: Louw 18' c B. Du Plessis 33' m De Jager 44' c Strauss 62' c Con: Lambie (2/3) 19', 45' Pollard (1/1) 63' Pen: Lambie (1/1) 57' Pollard (1/1) 73' | Report | Try: Leitch 30' c Goromaru 69' c Hesketh 80' m Con: Goromaru (2/3) 31', 70' Pen: Goromaru (5/6) 8', 43', 49', 53', 60' |
* Brighton Community Stadium, Brighton Attendance: 29,290 Referee: Jérôme Garcès (France)
* 23 September 2015 14:30
| Scotland | 45–10 | Japan |
| Try: Hardie 48' m Bennett (2) 56' c, 69 c Seymour 64' c Russell 74' c Con: Laidlaw (4/5) 57', 65', 70', 75' Pen: Laidlaw (4/5) 3', 12', 18', 20' | Report | Try: Mafi 15' c Con: Goromaru (1/1) 16' Pen: Goromaru (1/3) 46' |
* Kingsholm, Gloucester Attendance: 14,354 Referee: John Lacey (Ireland)
* 3 October 2015 14:30
| Samoa | 5–26 | Japan |
| Try: Perez 64' m Con: T. Pisi (0/1) | Report | Try: Penalty try 24' c Yamada 40' c Con: Goromaru (2/2) 24', 40' Pen: Goromaru (4/6) 8', 34', 48', 59' |
* Stadium mk, Milton Keynes Attendance: 29,019 Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)
* 11 October 2015 20:00
| United States | 18–28 | Japan |
| Try: Ngwenya 24' m Wyles 71' c Con: MacGinty (1/2) 72' Pen: MacGinty (2/2) 5', 55' | Report | Try: Matsushima 7' c Fujita 28' c Mafi 62' m Con: Goromaru (2/3) 9', 29' Pen: Goromaru (3/3) 33', 44', 77' |
* Kingsholm, Gloucester Attendance: 14,517 Referee: Glen Jackson (New Zealand)

### 2019

| Pos | Teamvte | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | T | B | Pts | Qualification |
| 1 | Japan | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 115 | 62 | +53 | 13 | 3 | 19 | Advanced to the quarter-finals and qualified for the 2023 Rugby World Cup |
| 2 | Ireland | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 121 | 27 | +94 | 18 | 4 | 16 | Advanced to the quarter-finals and qualified for the 2023 Rugby World Cup |
| 3 | Scotland | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 119 | 55 | +64 | 16 | 3 | 11 | Eliminated but qualified for 2023 Rugby World Cup |
| 4 | Samoa | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 58 | 128 | −70 | 8 | 1 | 5 | |
| 5 | Russia | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 19 | 160 | −141 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
* 20 September 2019 19:45 JST (UTC+09)
| (1 BP) Japan | 30–10 | Russia |
| Try: Matsushima (3) 12' m, 39' c, 69' c Labuschagné 47' m Con: Tamura (1/3) 40' Matsuda (1/1) 71' Pen: Tamura (2/2) 44', 64' | Report | Try: Golosnitski 5' c Con: Kushnarev (1/1) 6' Pen: Kushnarev (1/1) 61' |
* Tokyo Stadium, Chōfu Attendance: 45,745 Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
* 28 September 2019 16:15 JST (UTC+09)
| Japan | 19–12 | Ireland (1 BP) |
| Try: Fukuoka 59' c Con: Tamura (1/1) 61' Pen: Tamura (4/6) 18', 34', 40', 72' | Report | Try: Ringrose 14' m Kearney 21' c Con: Carty (1/2) 22' |
* Shizuoka Stadium Ecopa, Fukuroi Attendance: 47,813 Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
* 5 October 2019 19:30 JST (UTC+09)
| (1 BP) Japan | 38–19 | Samoa |
| Try: Lafaele 28' c Himeno 53' c Fukuoka 76' m Matsushima 80+5' c Con: Tamura (3/4) 29', 55', 80+7' Pen: Tamura (4/5) 3', 8', 24', 51' | Report | Try: Taefu 73' c Con: Taefu (1/1) 74' Pen: Taefu (4/5) 10', 15', 34', 45' |
* City of Toyota Stadium, Toyota Attendance: 39,695 Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
* 13 October 2019 19:45 JST (UTC+09)
| (1 BP) Japan | 28–21 | Scotland (1 BP) |
| Try: Matsushima 18' c Inagaki 26' c Fukuoka (2) 40' c, 43' c Con: Tamura (4/4) 20', 27', 40+2', 44' | Report | Try: Russell 7' c Nel 50' c Fagerson 55' c Con: Laidlaw (2/2) 8', 51' Russell (1/1) 56' |
* International Stadium Yokohama, Yokohama Attendance: 67,666 Referee: Ben O'Keeffe (New Zealand)

#### Quarter-final

* 20 October 2019 19:15 JST (UTC+09)
| Japan | 3–26 | South Africa |
| Pen: Tamura (1/1) 20' | Report | Try: Mapimpi (2) 4' m, 70' m de Klerk 66' c Con: Pollard (1/3) 66' Pen: Pollard (3/4) 44', 49', 64' |
* Tokyo Stadium, Chōfu Attendance: 48,831 Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)

### 2023

| Pos | Teamvte | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | TF | TA | B | Pts | Qualification |
| 1 | England | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 150 | 39 | +111 | 17 | 3 | 2 | 18 | Advance to knockout stage, and qualification to the 2027 Rugby World Cup |
| 2 | Argentina | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 127 | 69 | +58 | 15 | 5 | 2 | 14 | Advance to knockout stage, and qualification to the 2027 Rugby World Cup |
| 3 | Japan | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 109 | 107 | +2 | 12 | 14 | 1 | 9 | Qualification to the 2027 Rugby World Cup |
| 4 | Samoa | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 92 | 75 | +17 | 11 | 7 | 3 | 7 | |
| 5 | Chile | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 27 | 215 | −188 | 4 | 30 | 0 | 0 | |
* 10 September 2023 13:00 CEST (UTC+2)
| (1 BP) Japan | 42–12 | Chile |
| Try: Fakatava (2) 8' c, 40+1' c Naikabula 30' c Leitch 53' c Nakamura 71' c Dearns 79' c Con: Matsuda (6/6) 10', 31', 40+2', 54', 73', 80+1' | Report | Try: Fernández 6' c A. Escobar 48' m Con: Videla (1/2) 7' |
* Stadium de Toulouse, Toulouse Attendance: 30,187 Referee: Nic Berry (Australia)
* 17 September 2023 21:00 CEST (UTC+2)
| (1 BP) England | 34–12 | Japan |
| Try: Ludlam 24' c Lawes 56' c Steward 66' c Marchant 80+1' c Con: Ford (4/4) 26', 56', 67', 80+1' Pen: Ford (2/3) 4', 42' | Report | Pen: Matsuda (4/4) 15', 23', 32', 54' |
* Allianz Riviera, Nice Attendance: 30,500 Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia)
* 28 September 2023 21:00 CEST (UTC+2)
| Japan | 28–22 | Samoa (1 BP) |
| Try: Labuschagné 13' c Leitch 32' c Himeno 48' m Con: Matsuda (2/3) 15', 33' Pen: Matsuda (3/3) 28', 56', 75' | Report | Try: S. Lam 38' m Paia'aua 65' c Leali'ifano 78' c Con: Leali'ifano (2/3) 66', 79' Pen: Leuila (1/2) 25' |
* Stadium de Toulouse, Toulouse Attendance: 31,794 Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
* 8 October 2023 13:00 CEST (UTC+2)
| Japan | 27–39 | Argentina (1 BP) |
| Try: Fakatava 16' c Saitō 38' c Naikabula 65' c Con: Matsuda (3/3) 17', 39', 67' Pen: Matsuda (1/1) 52' Drop: Lemeki (1/1) 56' | Report | Try: Chocobares 2' c M. Carreras (3) 28' m, 46' c, 68' c Boffelli 58' c Con: Boffelli (3/4) 2', 47', 60' Sánchez (1/1) 70' Pen: Boffelli (1/2) 35' Sánchez (1/1) 75' |
* Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes Attendance: 33,624 Referee: Ben O'Keeffe (New Zealand)

## Hosting

At a special IRB meeting held in Dublin on 28 July 2009, Japan was announced as the host for the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

### List of planned stadia

In addition to the nine venues located in Japan, one venue each from Singapore and Hong Kong have also been proposed to host five matches respectively.
* Nissan Stadium, Yokohama (72,000)
* Nagai Stadium, Osaka (50,000)
* Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium, Tokyo (27,000)
* Yurtec Stadium Sendai, Sendai (20,000)
* Level-5 Stadium, Fukuoka (23,000)
* Toyota Stadium, Toyota (45,000)
* Sapporo Dome, Sapporo (41,000)
* Home's Stadium, Kobe (34,000)
* Hong Kong Stadium, Hong Kong (40,000)
* Singapore Sports Hub, Singapore (50,000)