2004: 106th Season

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[JRFU] The JRFU applied for bidding to host the 2011 RWC on September 10 to IRB. The JRFU had already indicated its intention at the World Cup in the previous year in Sydney, Australia. From this day on, the JRFU started presentations for bidding to rugby unions of foreign countries at every opportunity. The JRFU chairman Tetsuro Machii passed away and Hiroshi Hibino assumed the post of the deputy chairperson.
[Japan]
* Mitsutake Hagimoto assumed the position as the 2004 head coach of the Japan national team. His first match was a match against South Korea in the Asian Three-Nation Tournament, but they tied 19-19. Therefore, he was not able to win their first test match.
* In the 2nd Super Powers Cup, where Canada participated instead of China, the Japan national team won against Russia and Canada claiming the cup title for the first time.
* Italy came to Japan and had a test match. The Japan national team lost by a score of 32-19. In the first match, the Japan selection team played and lost 22-5.
* For the 19th Asia Rugby Championship held in Hong Kong in October, the Japan selection team was sent due to their tight schedules. However, they beat Hong Kong 40−12 and South Korea 29−0, claiming their championship title for the 14th time.
* The Japan national team had test matches against Scotland, Romania, and Wales, and had humiliating defeats. The results of the match against Scotland 100-8 and Wales 98-0 were inexcusable to the world despite their domestic situations, having a tight schedule, and some key players having injuries.
[Japan Rugby Championship] In the 42nd Japan Rugby Championship, the NEC Green Rockets won a tight game against TOYOTA Verblitz in the final 17−13 becoming the champion for the second time and for the first time in two years.
[Top League] In the Top League on the second year, Toshiba Fuchu Brave Lupus had 10 wins and one loss claiming their first league title, while Luatangi Vatuvei was honored as MVP. In the 2nd Microsoft Cup,Toshiba Fuchu Brave Lupus also beat Yamaha Jubilo 20−6 wearing a double crown.
[University] In the 41st All-Japan University Rugby Championship, Waseda revenged Kanto Gakuin 31−19 claiming their 12th championship title and for the first time in two years. In the 75th Kanto Inter-University Rugby Tournament, Waseda won all their seven matches claiming their 29th tournament title for four years in a row. In the 38th Kanto University Rugby League, once-strong Hosei beat Kanto Gakuin claimed their 13th league title and for the first time in six years, winning all their seven matches. In the 76th Kansai University Rugby League, Doshisha won all their seven matches and beat Ritsumeikan 32-14 in the ranking tournament final, claiming their 45th league title for three years in a row. In the 12th Kyushu University Rugby League, Fukuoka University beat Fukuoka Institute of Technology 52−5 in the final.
[Sevens Rugby] Japan participated in the 4th Rugby World Cup Sevens (Hong Kong). The Japan national team was eliminated in the first match in the plate.
[Women's Rugby] In November, the Japan women's national team toured Europe with three losses: Netherlands 15-7 Japan, Ireland 55-0 Japan, and Ireland's state selection team 29-12 Japan.
[International] In April, the Japan A team toured New Zealand with three losses and Chinese Taipei with one win. In May, TOYOTA toured South Africa with one win and two losses. In September, in the 7th UK-Japan University Matches, Oxford had two wins and one loss: Oxford 52-17 Kanto Gakuin, Oxford 43−22 Doshisha, and Waseda 25-9 Oxford. In July 2005, the Japan U18 national team toured abroad for the 30th time to New Zealand with one win and two losses.