Profile: Imports boost Japan's hopes
An influx of foreign-born players has propelled Japan to unprecedented heights and raised hopes they can bury their miserable World Cup record in New Zealand.
Coach John Kirwan has overseen a radical shift in policy with several players originating from Tonga and New Zealand now representing the Brave Blossoms - with dramatic results on the pitch.
Since the last World Cup in 2007, Japan have won all four editions of the Asian Five Nations and are yet to lose a game. In July, they secured their first ever Pacific Nations Cup title with a dramatic victory over Fiji.
And this month, they confirmed their rising status by running Six Nations outfit Italy close 31-24 in Cesena.
Those performances have boosted optimism that Japan, who will host Asia's first World Cup in 2019, can add to their sole win in the tournament after their 52-8 success against lowly Zimbabwe in 1991.
"We confirmed through the match against Fiji that we can cope with the top teams in the world," said captain Takashi Kikutani.
"Everybody understands our game play that works against the top teams. We created many chances for a try from a scrum... We proved that we can play a Japanese style of rugby with a good tempo," he added.
Retired try-machine Daisuke Ohata is backing Japan to start with a bang against France in a tough Pool A, which also includes favourites New Zealand as well as Tonga and Canada.
"It is the bottom line to get past the preliminary round," Ohata said.
"The opening match against France will be a decisive factor to do so. They have a Latin temperament and lack consistency. Japan will have a chance if they can defend patiently to make them irritated," he added.
Ex-All Black Kirwan is targeting at least two victories in New Zealand as he builds towards his aim of making Japan a top-eight team by 2015, and reaching the World Cup Final on home ground in 2019.
He is unrepentant over his choice of non-ethnic Japanese, some of whom qualify for selection because they have played in the country for three years.
"We have nine foreign players. The Tongans (Sione Vatuvei and Ryukoliniasi Holani) and (New Zealander) Leitchy (Michael Leitch) went there at nine (years old) to study," Kirwan said this month.
"They have passports and are practically Japanese. Others have played for three years in Japan and under IRB rules can play for the country.
"I've always said we must use foreigners to improve our results and then when we arrive towards 2019, the Federation needs to work very hard to always get more Japanese players in the team.
"But those who play for Japan are very proud to do so and will give more than 100 percent. Rugby is a world sport, we accept everyone. It's not political."
Coach
John Kirwan
The 46-year-old, who helped New Zealand win the inaugural World Cup in 1987 as a fleet-footed winger and scored 67 tries in 63 Test matches, ended his playing career in 2001 after three seasons with Japan's Top League side NEC. Kirwan coached Italy from 2002 to 2005, guiding the Azzurri to the 2003 World Cup in Australia. He signed as Japan's coach in January 2007. The All Blacks legend helped Japan put an end to a 13-match losing streak at the 2007 World Cup with a draw against Canada. Japan still have only one win, one draw and 18 defeats from their previous six tournaments.
Key player
James Arlidge - flyhalf
New Zealand-born Arlidge made his debut in Kirwan's first team in 2007 and he made an immediate impression, scoring two tries and knocking over all 10 of his conversions as Japan beat South Korea 82-0. The flyhalf, who will turn 32 in August, looked a certainty for the 2007 World Cup but fractured his leg against the Classic All Blacks shortly before the tournament. He was the top-scorer for Japan with 56 points at the 2008 Pacific Nations Cup and amassed 32 points in 2010, and finished with eight in this year's edition.
AFP