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[JRFU] The JRFU announced at the World Cup venue in Australia that Japan would bid to host the Rugby World Cup 2011.
[Japan] The Japan national team redesigned their jersey. There was an opinion to keep the traditional red and white horizontal-striped jersey, but the JRFU adopted the new design considering opinions by various parties, such as successive head coaches, and captains. The Japan national team wore the new jersey in an away match against the United States in the 1st Super Powers Cup held on May 17. This new jersey made its debut in Japan at the match against Russia held at the Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Stadium on May 25.
* The 3rd Asian Four Nations Tournament: The Japan selection team sent to the four-nation tournament held in Sri Lanka beat Arabian Gulf 79−5 and Sri Lanka 36−8, meeting the expectations.
* The Super Powers Cup, a league by Japan, the United States, Russia and China, was launched, succeeding the Pacific Rim Championship. China had to cancel the cup due to SARS.
* The Australia national A team's Visit to Japan and Korea-Japan Regular Match: Prior to their RWC participation, the Japan national team had a test match against the Australia national A team but had a big loss due to inadequate strength. In the 5th Korea-Japan Regular Match, the Japan team won by a big margin. Japan 86-3 South Korea
* Japan invited England and had test matches, and the Japan national team had two consecutive losses.
* The 5th Rugby World Cup was held, and the Japan national team finished with four losses despite putting up a good fight. In the 5th Rugby World Cup held in Australia solely from October 10 to November 22, the Japan national team under head coach Shogo Mukai and captain Takuro Miuchi fought well against Scotland and France, responding to enthusiastic local fans, but the result was four losses in the qualifying round.
[Japan Rugby Championship] In the 41st Japan Rugby Championship, the number of participating teams was increased to 22, and Toshiba Fuchu Brave Lupus won against Kobe Steel, Kobelcosteelers, 22−10 claiming their fourth championship tite and for the first time in five years.
[Top League] The JRFU launched the Top League with 12 teams by restructuring the company rugby system. The opening game was held at Tokyo's National Stadium with much spectacle on September 13, and Suntory Sungoliath beat Kobe Steel Kobelcosteelers 54−31. In the 1st Top League, Kobe Steel won out in a fierce battle and became the first champion with nine wins and two losses, achieving 47 points. In the 1st Microsoft Cup, where the best eight of the Top League competed, the NEC Green Rockets beat Toshiba Fuchu Brave Lupus 24−19 and claimed their first league title.
[University] In the final of the 40th All-Japan University Rugby Championship, Kanto Gakuin got revenge against Waseda 33−9 and claimed their fifth championship title and for the first time in two years. In the 74th Kanto Inter-University Rugby Tournament, Waseda won all of their seven matches claiming the 28th tournament title for three years in a row. In the 37th Kanto University Rugby League, Kanto Gakuin won all their seven matches claiming their eighth league title for five years in a row. In the 75th Kansai University Rugby League, Doshisha won all their seven matches claiming their 44th league title for two years in a row. In the 11th Kyushu University Rugby League, Fukuoka Institute of Technology won all their seven matches claiming their league title.
[International] In April, the New Zealand University selection team (NZU) came to Japan for the 10th time with two wins and one loss. NZU beat All-Doshisha 39−31 and the Japan A team 97−14; however, they lost the final match against Waseda 37-31. In the 35th Junior Rugby World Championship (France) in April, the Japan U19 national team had three wins and one loss finishing in 9th place. In the 2nd U21 RWC (England) in June, the Japan U21 national team had one win and four losses finishing in 11th place. In September, in the 6th UK-Japan University Matches, Cambridge had two wins and one loss: Cambridge 44-35 Kanto Gakuin, Cambridge 22−18 Hosei, and Waseda 38-22 Cambridge. In December, in the 8th U19 Asia Rugby Championship (Malaysia), the Japan U19 national team won all of their four matches and claimed their championship title. In March 2004, in the 36th U19 Rugby World Championship, the Japan U19 national team had two wins and two losses finishing in 7th place. In March 2004, the Japan national team Squad toured Australia for a training camp with one win and three losses. In July 2004, the Japan U18 national team toured abroad for the 29th time to Australia with four wins.
[JRFU] The JRFU announced at the World Cup venue in Australia that Japan would bid to host the Rugby World Cup 2011.
[Japan] The Japan national team redesigned their jersey. There was an opinion to keep the traditional red and white horizontal-striped jersey, but the JRFU adopted the new design considering opinions by various parties, such as successive head coaches, and captains. The Japan national team wore the new jersey in an away match against the United States in the 1st Super Powers Cup held on May 17. This new jersey made its debut in Japan at the match against Russia held at the Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Stadium on May 25.
* The 3rd Asian Four Nations Tournament: The Japan selection team sent to the four-nation tournament held in Sri Lanka beat Arabian Gulf 79−5 and Sri Lanka 36−8, meeting the expectations.
* The Super Powers Cup, a league by Japan, the United States, Russia and China, was launched, succeeding the Pacific Rim Championship. China had to cancel the cup due to SARS.
* The Australia national A team's Visit to Japan and Korea-Japan Regular Match: Prior to their RWC participation, the Japan national team had a test match against the Australia national A team but had a big loss due to inadequate strength. In the 5th Korea-Japan Regular Match, the Japan team won by a big margin. Japan 86-3 South Korea
* Japan invited England and had test matches, and the Japan national team had two consecutive losses.
* The 5th Rugby World Cup was held, and the Japan national team finished with four losses despite putting up a good fight. In the 5th Rugby World Cup held in Australia solely from October 10 to November 22, the Japan national team under head coach Shogo Mukai and captain Takuro Miuchi fought well against Scotland and France, responding to enthusiastic local fans, but the result was four losses in the qualifying round.
[Japan Rugby Championship] In the 41st Japan Rugby Championship, the number of participating teams was increased to 22, and Toshiba Fuchu Brave Lupus won against Kobe Steel, Kobelcosteelers, 22−10 claiming their fourth championship tite and for the first time in five years.
[Top League] The JRFU launched the Top League with 12 teams by restructuring the company rugby system. The opening game was held at Tokyo's National Stadium with much spectacle on September 13, and Suntory Sungoliath beat Kobe Steel Kobelcosteelers 54−31. In the 1st Top League, Kobe Steel won out in a fierce battle and became the first champion with nine wins and two losses, achieving 47 points. In the 1st Microsoft Cup, where the best eight of the Top League competed, the NEC Green Rockets beat Toshiba Fuchu Brave Lupus 24−19 and claimed their first league title.
[University] In the final of the 40th All-Japan University Rugby Championship, Kanto Gakuin got revenge against Waseda 33−9 and claimed their fifth championship title and for the first time in two years. In the 74th Kanto Inter-University Rugby Tournament, Waseda won all of their seven matches claiming the 28th tournament title for three years in a row. In the 37th Kanto University Rugby League, Kanto Gakuin won all their seven matches claiming their eighth league title for five years in a row. In the 75th Kansai University Rugby League, Doshisha won all their seven matches claiming their 44th league title for two years in a row. In the 11th Kyushu University Rugby League, Fukuoka Institute of Technology won all their seven matches claiming their league title.
[International] In April, the New Zealand University selection team (NZU) came to Japan for the 10th time with two wins and one loss. NZU beat All-Doshisha 39−31 and the Japan A team 97−14; however, they lost the final match against Waseda 37-31. In the 35th Junior Rugby World Championship (France) in April, the Japan U19 national team had three wins and one loss finishing in 9th place. In the 2nd U21 RWC (England) in June, the Japan U21 national team had one win and four losses finishing in 11th place. In September, in the 6th UK-Japan University Matches, Cambridge had two wins and one loss: Cambridge 44-35 Kanto Gakuin, Cambridge 22−18 Hosei, and Waseda 38-22 Cambridge. In December, in the 8th U19 Asia Rugby Championship (Malaysia), the Japan U19 national team won all of their four matches and claimed their championship title. In March 2004, in the 36th U19 Rugby World Championship, the Japan U19 national team had two wins and two losses finishing in 7th place. In March 2004, the Japan national team Squad toured Australia for a training camp with one win and three losses. In July 2004, the Japan U18 national team toured abroad for the 29th time to Australia with four wins.