The reinforcement project for the Japan National Rugby Union Team started in July 1965. The past results of international matches showed that the Japan national team had no chance against overseas university teams. It may be no exaggeration to say that individual university team in Japan fought better than the Japan national team. This naturally led to holding discussions on the need for reinforcing the Japan national team in order to make an international advancement.
During the period of July 20 through 24, the Japan national team held a training camp at the gymnasium of the Self Defense Force located in Asaka, Saitama. A total of 54 members including 41 corporate rugby players and 13 students took part in this camp. This camp marked the first step the JRFU took toward systematic reinforcement of the Japan national team.
Senior Director Nishino says: “Japanese rugby has developed within each university's closed boundaries where skills and tactics were handed down from senior to juniors. University teams never had any opportunities to exchange rugby skills and techniques among themselves. Not only before the war, but also even after the war, the Japan national team always appears to pale against each individual university team when it comes to countering overseas teams that come to Japan. I believe that the problem I mentioned earlier, the lack of exchange opportunities, contribute significantly to this situation.”
Tetsunosuke Onishi, who assumed the head of the technical committee, also indicated that the rugby tactics should be developed based on getting close, deployment, and continuation, saying: “The most important thing when strengthening the Japan national team players is to integrate the concept on how to fight against foreign teams.” Five coaches, Chuji Kitajima, Toichiro Kawagoe, Masao Wada, Hitoshi Oka, and Tatusya Aoi diligently supported the head coach, Tetsunosuke Onishi.
During the period of July 20 through 24, the Japan national team held a training camp at the gymnasium of the Self Defense Force located in Asaka, Saitama. A total of 54 members including 41 corporate rugby players and 13 students took part in this camp. This camp marked the first step the JRFU took toward systematic reinforcement of the Japan national team.
Senior Director Nishino says: “Japanese rugby has developed within each university's closed boundaries where skills and tactics were handed down from senior to juniors. University teams never had any opportunities to exchange rugby skills and techniques among themselves. Not only before the war, but also even after the war, the Japan national team always appears to pale against each individual university team when it comes to countering overseas teams that come to Japan. I believe that the problem I mentioned earlier, the lack of exchange opportunities, contribute significantly to this situation.”
Tetsunosuke Onishi, who assumed the head of the technical committee, also indicated that the rugby tactics should be developed based on getting close, deployment, and continuation, saying: “The most important thing when strengthening the Japan national team players is to integrate the concept on how to fight against foreign teams.” Five coaches, Chuji Kitajima, Toichiro Kawagoe, Masao Wada, Hitoshi Oka, and Tatusya Aoi diligently supported the head coach, Tetsunosuke Onishi.