Japanese training methods have been criticised for focussing more on discipline than initiative.
One common drill is the "run pass", which involves players running the length of the field and exchanging passes, often for as long as an hour or more.

The former Japanese prime minister, Yoshirō Mori (森 喜朗) in June 2005 became President of the Japan Rugby Football Union.
It had been hoped his clout would help secure the 2011 Rugby World Cup for Japan, but instead the event was awarded to New Zealand in late November 2005.
This led former Mori to accuse members of the Commonwealth of Nations of "passing the ball around their friends."

In 2015 tambo rugby, a form of tag rugby played in muddy rice fields, was introduced in Kyoto Prefecture.

The 2019 Rugby World Cup was held in Japan, the first time in Asia.
Japanese training methods have been criticised for focussing more on discipline than initiative. One common drill is the "run pass", which involves players running the length of the field and exchanging passes, often for as long as an hour or more.
The former Japanese prime minister, Yoshirō Mori (森 喜朗) in June 2005 became President of the Japan Rugby Football Union. It had been hoped his clout would help secure the 2011 Rugby World Cup for Japan, but instead the event was awarded to New Zealand in late November 2005. This led former Mori to accuse members of the Commonwealth of Nations of "passing the ball around their friends."
In 2015 tambo rugby, a form of tag rugby played in muddy rice fields, was introduced in Kyoto Prefecture. 
The 2019 Rugby World Cup was held in Japan, the first time in Asia.
Rugby union in Japan