Japan has continued to appear in the six consecutive RWCs since the first RWC. Of these world cups, Japan won preliminary matches in Asia in 1999 RWC held in Wales including 4 British and French unions, in the 2003 RWC held in Australia, and in the 2007 RWC held in Wales and Scotland. This fact should be greatly commended. In spite of taking on challenges to win two games and to advance to the final round (best 8) at each RWC, the Japan national team was only able to win one game against Zimbabwe in the 2nd RWC in 1991.
In the sixth RWC in France (2007), the Japan national team led by John Kirwan fell just one step short of Fiji, while succeeding in a dramatic draw with Canada during additional time. How to break the one-step barrier remains to be achieved by the Japan national team. With a great expectation, all the rugby fans and affiliated parties prayerfully see the Japan national team making a jump on to the world level.