Japan Rugby League One

Japan Rugby League One (Japanese: ジャパンラグビーリーグワン, romanized: Japanragubīrīguwan), formerly known as the Top League (Japanese: トップリーグ, romanized: Toppurīgu), is a rugby union competition in Japan. It is the highest level of professional rugby competition in the country. The Japan Rugby Football Union created the competition in 2003, by absorbing the Japan Company Rugby Football Championship. The chief architect of the league was Hiroaki Shukuzawa who strongly felt the urgency of improving Japanese domestic company rugby to a professional level which would allow Japan to compete more convincingly at Rugby World Cups.

Until 2022, it was an industrial league, where many players were employees of their company and the teams were all owned by major companies. While the competition was known for paying high salaries, only world-class foreign players and a small number of Japanese players played fully professionally, which meant most of the players still played in an amateur capacity. The delayed 2021 season was the final season of the Top League, with the JRFU adopting a new fully-professional three-tier system from 2022. More details about the new structure was announced to the media in January 2021. Featuring 25 teams, the 12 top-tier clubs would be split into two conferences, with seven teams competing in division two and six in division three. The new competition was formally announced as Japan Rugby League One in July 2021.

The first season in 2003–04 featured 12 teams. The league was expanded to 14 teams in 2006–07 and 16 teams in 2013–14. While Japan Rugby League One's season overlaps with the start of Super Rugby's season, the Top League played during the off-season of the Super Rugby. Therefore, many full-time foreign professionals from Southern Hemisphere countries played in the Top League, notably Tony Brown, George Gregan and Dan Carter. In the 2010s, salaries in the Top League rose to become some of the highest in the rugby world; in 2012, South Africa's Jaque Fourie, now with Kobelco Steelers, was widely reported to be the world's highest-paid player.

Japan Rugby League One is the premier rugby union tournament in Japan. It is a professional league that features the top 12 rugby clubs from across the country. The tournament is organized by the Japan Rugby Football Union (JRFU) and is played annually from September to January.

The Japan Rugby League One showcases the best rugby talent in Japan and provides a platform for players to compete at the highest level. The participating clubs consist of a mix of traditional powerhouses and emerging teams, creating a competitive and exciting atmosphere throughout the tournament.

The league follows a round-robin format, where each team plays against every other team twice, once at home and once away. The matches are intense and highly physical, with teams battling it out to secure a spot in the playoffs.

At the end of the regular season, the top four teams advance to the playoffs, which culminate in a thrilling final to determine the champion. The winner of the Japan Rugby League One earns the prestigious title and is recognized as the best rugby club in Japan.

The tournament not only promotes the growth and development of rugby in Japan but also serves as a platform for players to showcase their skills and potentially earn national team selection. Many players who have excelled in the Japan Rugby League One have gone on to represent Japan at the international level.

The Japan Rugby League One has gained significant popularity in recent years, attracting large crowds and generating a strong following among rugby enthusiasts. The matches are broadcasted live on television and online platforms, allowing fans from around the world to witness the excitement and passion of Japanese rugby.

Overall, the Japan Rugby League One is a highly competitive and thrilling rugby union tournament that showcases the best of Japanese rugby talent. It serves as a stepping stone for players to reach greater heights in their careers and contributes to the growth and popularity of rugby in Japan.