The 22 December 1917 issue of Osaka Mainichi Newspaper article announced that the 1st Rugby Football Championship Games would be held in the Toyonaka Sports Field on 12 and 13 January. “Acquiring the skillful art of baseball when it was introduced, our nation's students have made good use of them in their PE class. They should also be interested in football. Further efforts must be made in order to popularize football and to heighten interest in this sport.” (Source: “History of 1st through 80th National High School Tournaments”)
Although JRFU or even any other rugby-related associations had not appeared at that time, this newspaper company had an amazing foresight which was demonstrated by holding joint tournaments of football (soccer) and rugby in order to promote and disseminate these sports.
First round: All Doshisha 19-0 Daisan High School (at Toyonaka Sports Field)
Final: All Doshisha 31-0 Kyoto Daiichi Commercial High School (at Toyonaka Sports Field)
During the third tournament, a tournament for junior high schools became separate from the main tournament, and a regional preliminary round was introduced during the ninth tournament. Through this process the tournament became a national tournament in both name and reality. This tournament also served as the predecessor of the current tournament, known as the National High School Rugby Tournament.
After the World War II, this tournament was restored as the 26th tournament held in Nishinomiya in January 1947. The 28th tournament held in January 1948 made the shift to the national high school tournament, which continues to be held at Tokyo's National Stadium (present Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Stadium). Except for the 24th separate tournament held in Kansai and Kyushu, all the tournaments have been held in Kansai.