“Be strongly aware that you’re competing against the world.” Former Japan national rugby team SH Fumiaki Tanaka speaks passionately about the four consecutive test matches in November.
WOWOW Inc. Press Release: October 29, 2025 “We have to be very conscious that we’re competing against the world,” says former Japan national rugby team scrum-half Fumiaki Tanaka, who passionately discusses the four consecutive test matches in November. “Four consecutive weeks of Japan national team matches! WOWOW Rugby Special” November 2nd (Sun) “vs. South Africa”, November 8th (Sat) “vs. Ireland”, November 16th (Sun) “vs. Wales”, November 22nd (Sat) “vs. Georgia” *Saturday 22nd will be live-streamed only
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/1355/8493/1355-8493-ae4ce9a621bbdf2b27ddff604febdde6-1714×1143.jpg
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/1355/8493/1355-8493-e99f5150e470821179525db6f0b5c629-3815×2543.jpg PNC2025 Final “Japan vs. Fiji” / Getty Images — Veteran FL/LO (flanker/lock) player Michael Leitch, who played with Tanaka for a long time, is returning to the national team. “He really has a presence. His presence raises the team’s morale. I conveyed this to lock Werner Deans (who served as captain at the PNC tournament), and he showed good leadership. I think he has great potential as a leader (for the future). I feel that having a bilingual player as a leader has a positive effect.”
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/1355/8493/1355-8493-25e7a9d3f6c8be1f4c89a7949c672d2f-3900×2600.jpg Michael Leech/Getty Images –Are there any other Japanese national team players you’re keeping an eye on? “It’s Gan-chan (Ben Gunter), the flanker/number eight. He can carry the ball and score tries by himself, and he’s also a player who can turn a tight spot into an opportunity (by stealing the ball, etc.). The three SHs in the backs (Shinobu Fujiwara, Kenta Fukuda, and Shuntaro Kitamura) have world-class ball handling skills, and the rivalry between Fujiwara and Fukuda in particular has been very effective. With the addition of the quick and talented Kitamura, we now have a team that can compete with anyone in the SH position.”
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/1355/8493/1355-8493-bf5493d0f4f3d68c995708403165a0bf-3900×2599.jpg Ben Gunter/Getty Images –The Japanese national team will be playing four consecutive test matches during their European tour in November. The first will be against South Africa (ranked No. 1 in the world as of October 20th) on Sunday, November 2nd. How did you feel when the match was announced? “I was so happy. When I was younger, it was rare for a strong country to play against Japan, so I think the fact that we’re now able to play against South Africa means that Japan is reaching that level.” –It’s been exactly 10 years since England’s historic victory over South Africa at the 2015 World Cup. “South Africa has changed a lot since losing to us, Japan. They’re now stronger thanks to their excellent transitions, and with Tony Brown (South Africa national team attack coach, former Japan national team attack coach) joining the team, not only the forwards but also the backs have become a threat. Japan’s technique and ability have definitely improved since then. The difference from when we were playing is that every team in the world is paying attention to them. With all teams on their guard, knowing that Japan will try something like this, they must fight without holding back, and if they don’t raise their level one level further, they could continue to lose, so I want the team to keep thinking about how they can continue to perform well and persevere.” —I’d like to know which South African players to watch out for and which players to be wary of. “Everyone, but first and foremost, hooker Malcolm Marx. He’s a real nuisance, especially in front of our own goal line. He can score a try on his own, and with support players, he’s practically unstoppable. Also, young fly-half Sasha van Berg-Mngomezulu has excellent judgment and performance. SH Grant Williams is also a really good player, and the attacks by this No. 9 and No. 10 are really fun to watch.”
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/1355/8493/1355-8493-f38b08497abc1738b52fc597834e2587-3900×2588.jpg Malcolm Marks/Getty Images –As the Japanese team, where do you hope to find a chance to win? “The key is to keep the score low. I think Japan can score, but (even more so) South Africa’s attacking ability is incredible, so we just need to stop them with solid defense, hold on tight, and finally score when they’re tired. Right now, every team is performing at a high level until the end. That’s why Japan needs to go even further. Another thing is to avoid penalties. There have been a lot of penalties recently, so I want them to be more aware that they’re competing against the world.” –The venue is Wembley Stadium, a mecca for football with a capacity of 90,000. “I’m jealous. Whether the Japanese players get excited or nervous is up to them, but I think the experience of playing in such a venue will definitely come in handy when they take to the World Cup stage, so I want to commentate the games while watching everyone’s expressions. I’m sure all the English people there will be rooting for Japan, so I hope they can reflect that energy in their play.” –Next, I’d like to ask about Ireland, ranked third in the world (as of October 20), whom you’ll be playing against on Saturday, November 8th. This will be your match against the third-ranked team after the first-ranked team. “They’re the closest to Japan, and I get the impression they fight as a team (rather than as individuals). Of course, each player is impressive, but each one does what they’re supposed to do, so I think they’re a team Japan should learn from. Even so, it’s unprecedented for Japan to play against the world’s number one and number three teams
back-to-back.” —So, which Irish players are worth watching? “Scrum half Jamison Gibson-Park is one of the best in the world right now. He’s become an even better scrum half since moving from New Zealand to Ireland and gaining experience with the national team. I’m also keeping an eye on the passionate play of fellow New Zealand wing James Rowe.”
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/1355/8493/1355-8493-9ae10a88cf9a87a903d28344e6c82e8f-3900×2657.jpg Jamison Gibson-Park/Getty Images ──How should the Japanese national team play? “We have a string of difficult matches ahead of us, but it all comes down to energy. And it all depends on whether we can play 100% in our style. I’m sure there are fans who think that’s
impossible, but that’s exactly why we all cheer for them and hope for a win. It’s not easy, but it’s important to say the word ‘victory’ more often.” –Your next opponent is Wales, ranked 12th in the world (as of October 20th), and you’ll be playing them on Sunday, November 16th. The two matches in Japan in July ended with one win and one loss. What are your impressions of the team? “They weren’t weak, of course, but they made a lot of mistakes. It was a shock because they weren’t a typical Welsh team. I was also shocked that Japan couldn’t win the second match against that team. I thought Japan’s strength was being able to win in the second half when the opponent was tired, but we couldn’t win. This time it was at the opponent’s home ground. The support of the Welsh fans and the team’s enthusiasm are different, so I think it will be a good opportunity to learn how to play on away ground.” —Who are the Welsh players to watch? “Fullback Blair Murray. He’s also from New Zealand, and he played incredibly well in the match against Japan in July. Whenever he had the ball, we were almost always inside the gain line, and I got the impression that Japan was at his mercy. He’s only 24 years old, and he’s a player to watch.”
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/1355/8493/1355-8493-f7455beef859386af5cec398c4174589-3259×2173.jpg Blair Murray/Getty Images –The Japanese team is ranked one place below you in the world, but what do you think about their chances of winning? “I think this is a high target for this tour. To be honest, it’s difficult to beat higher-ranked teams all at once, so we want to first win against teams like this and gain confidence. Just like in the World Cup, the physical and mental health become strained towards the end (of consecutive matches), so I want the team to take on the challenge and show us a winning side.” ──Japan’s final match of the European tour will be against Georgia (ranked 11th in the world as of October 20th) on Sunday, November 22nd. “I don’t get the impression that our forwards are stronger than they used to be. In the past, we’ve been a team that has long relied on scrums and mauls, but in last year’s match against Japan (July 13, 2012, Japan 23-25
Georgia), Japan even won with a scrum. Our forwards and backs have blended together to become an attacking team, and I get the impression that we’re adopting a new style of rugby.”
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/1355/8493/1355-8493-ddf7e13f1e5a56f2275672c3ad9cb56a-2765×1844.jpg Georgia representative/Getty Images ──What do you want viewers to see in the Japanese national team? “I want you to see us score tries with our ‘ultra-fast rugby’ attacks. The rest is all about defense. If we can stop tackles and mauls and not let the opponent score, we won’t lose. However, our opponents are all teams with the best attacks in the world, so I want you to pay attention to how well we can keep pushing forward and defend against such opponents.” … But at the same time, there are also high expectations. Even now that he’s retired, Tanaka Fumiaki, who still has a particularly strong passion for the Japanese national team, will be guest commentating on “South Africa vs. Japan.” Be sure to tune into the Quilter Nations Series, including the Japan national team matches, on WOWOW in November. 【WOWOW Rugby November Broadcast and Streaming Schedule】 “Japan National Team Matches Four Weeks in a Row! WOWOW Rugby Special”
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/1355/8493/1355-8493-5628c1d019eccbe6234e356c0d1d54c7-3000×1800.jpg (C) JRFU, Photo: Afro Sunday, November 2nd, 12:45 AM “South Africa vs Japan” [WOWOW Live] [WOWOW On Demand] Saturday, November 8th, 9:00 PM – “Ireland vs. Japan” [WOWOW Live] [WOWOW On Demand] Sunday, November 16th, 2:15 AM – “Wales vs. Japan” [WOWOW Prime] [WOWOW On Demand] Saturday, November 22nd, 8:45 PM – “Georgia vs. Japan” [WOWOW On Demand] *Live streaming only “Rugby Test Match 2025 Quilter Nations Series” Live streaming of 20 matches from November 1st (Sat) to 29th (Sat), with 10 featured matches broadcast *Archived streaming available EDDY TIMES 2025 Special Edition “Michael Leitch: The Life of a Man Carrying the Cherry Blossoms, and into the Future” A special talk show that explores both the personality and rugby player of Japanese rugby, Michael Leitch. Starring: Michael Leitch (Japan National Rugby Team, Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo), Masataro Onishi (former Japan National Rugby Team, WOWOW rugby commentator), Kenjiro Toyohara (former NHK announcer, sportscaster) WOWOW On Demand Rugby (https://wod.wowow.co.jp/genre/rugby) WOWOW official YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/user/WOWOWofficial) Now available on “Japan Rugby Team Live Broadcast Special” 11/1 (Sat) [WOWOWライブ] 午後4:45～「ラグビー テストマッチ 2024 オータム・ネーションズシリーズ フランスvs日本」 午後7:00～「ラグビー テストマッチ 2024 オータム・ネーションズシリーズ イングランドvs日本」 午後9:20～「南アフリカ戦生中継直前！１０年前の感動再び
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