JRFU demands reinstatement of chairman to Asia Rugby, apology for ban
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The Japan Rugby Football Union has demanded the immediate reinstatement of its Chairman Kensuke Iwabuchi to the Asia Rugby executive committee and will seek a public apology after an independent investigation found no basis for his suspension by the regional ruling body in February.
In a strongly worded statement released Thursday, JRFU President Masato Tsuchida said the finding by a World Rugby-appointed disciplinary officer of no wrongdoing by Iwabuchi was a rebuke to Asia Rugby over its suspension of the 49-year-old former Japan flyhalf.
"The JRFU is delighted that through this independent World Rugby-led investigation, Mr. Iwabuchi's reputation has been restored, and Asia Rugby has been called out for its significant governance failures and lack of transparency," Tsuchida said.
Asia Rugby on Feb. 24 announced its temporary suspension of Iwabuchi as vice president over "a potential code of conduct breach" while providing no further details.
World Rugby said the allegation stemmed from Iwabuchi raising queries with Asia Rugby "regarding the contents of documents" he was asked to sign as an executive, and that these were "entirely reasonable queries" showing "good governance practice on his part."
"While the outcome is a relief for both Mr. Iwabuchi and the JRFU, the reckless behavior of Asia Rugby in suspending Mr. Iwabuchi without any due process and issuing a vague and potentially defamatory press release at the time is very damaging to the reputation of Asia Rugby," Tsuchida said.
World Rugby has notified Asia Rugby that it expects Iwabuchi to be reinstated.
The JRFU said it will request that the president of Asia Rugby, Qais Al-Dhalai, issue a public apology to Iwabuchi.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Kyodo News
3 days ago
- Kyodo News
Japan PM may seek snap election if no-confidence submitted
KYODO NEWS - 12 hours ago - 07:00 | All, Japan Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba may dissolve the House of Representatives for a snap general election if the main opposition party submits a no-confidence motion, a source close to the government leadership said Monday. Ishiba, whose coalition holds a minority in the lower house, could take the move before any no-confidence motion is put to a vote in the chamber, the source said. If such a motion is submitted and approved, the prime minister must dissolve the lower house or the Cabinet must resign en masse within 10 days. Ishiba, who doubles as president of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, has told his aides that "a dissolution of the House of Representatives will come in sight if a no-confidence is submitted" from the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, the source said. LDP Secretary General Hiroshi Moriyama has already shared the idea with other LDP executives, the source said. If the lower house is dissolved, the chances of holding lower- and upper-house elections at the same time may emerge. The House of Councillors election is slated for this summer, while the House of Representatives election can be held at any time before the four-year term of the current members expires in the fall of 2028. The source said, however, that some in the government are cautious about a possible dissolution of the lower chamber at a time when Japan faces mounting challenges such as inflation, including high rice prices, and the U.S. tariff regime under President Donald Trump. Calling a general election would create a political vacuum even under such circumstances and may encourage many voters to react strongly against the LDP-led ruling coalition, the source added. Both the LDP-led coalition and the CDPJ fell short of the 233-seat threshold to secure a majority in the powerful lower chamber of Japan's parliament in the previous general election held in October. Last week, the ruling coalition accepted a revision to the government's proposed pension reform plan, a key bill currently under consideration, agreeing to a CDPJ demand to ensure smooth parliamentary deliberations and enactment before the session ends on June 22.
The Mainichi
4 days ago
- The Mainichi
Japan PM may seek snap election if no-confidence submitted
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba may dissolve the House of Representatives for a snap general election if the main opposition party submits a no-confidence motion, a source close to the government leadership said Monday. Ishiba, whose coalition holds a minority in the lower house, could take the move before any no-confidence motion is put to a vote in the chamber, the source said. If such a motion is submitted and approved, the prime minister must dissolve the lower house or the Cabinet must resign en masse within 10 days. Ishiba, who doubles as president of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, has told his aides that "a dissolution of the House of Representatives will come in sight if a no-confidence is submitted" from the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, the source said. LDP Secretary General Hiroshi Moriyama has already shared the idea with other LDP executives, the source said. If the lower house is dissolved, the chances of holding lower- and upper-house elections at the same time may emerge. The House of Councillors election is slated for this summer, while the House of Representatives election can be held at any time before the four-year term of the current members expires in the fall of 2028. The source said, however, that some in the government are cautious about a possible dissolution of the lower chamber at a time when Japan faces mounting challenges such as inflation, including high rice prices, and the U.S. tariff regime under President Donald Trump. Calling a general election would create a political vacuum even under such circumstances and may encourage many voters to react strongly against the LDP-led ruling coalition, the source added. Both the LDP-led coalition and the CDPJ fell short of the 233-seat threshold to secure a majority in the powerful lower chamber of Japan's parliament in the previous general election held in October. Last week, the ruling coalition accepted a revision to the government's proposed pension reform plan, a key bill currently under consideration, agreeing to a CDPJ demand to ensure smooth parliamentary deliberations and enactment before the session ends on June 22.
Kyodo News
4 days ago
- Kyodo News
Japan PM may seek snap election if no-confidence submitted
KYODO NEWS - 4 hours ago - 07:00 | All, Japan Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba may dissolve the House of Representatives for a snap general election if the main opposition party submits a no-confidence motion, a source close to the government leadership said Monday. Ishiba, whose coalition holds a minority in the lower house, could take the move before any no-confidence motion is put to a vote in the chamber, the source said. If such a motion is submitted and approved, the prime minister must dissolve the lower house or the Cabinet must resign en masse within 10 days. Ishiba, who doubles as president of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, has told his aides that "a dissolution of the House of Representatives will come in sight if a no-confidence is submitted" from the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, the source said. LDP Secretary General Hiroshi Moriyama has already shared the idea with other LDP executives, the source said. If the lower house is dissolved, the chances of holding lower- and upper-house elections at the same time may emerge. The House of Councillors election is slated for this summer, while the House of Representatives election can be held at any time before the four-year term of the current members expires in the fall of 2028. The source said, however, that some in the government are cautious about a possible dissolution of the lower chamber at a time when Japan faces mounting challenges such as inflation, including high rice prices, and the U.S. tariff regime under President Donald Trump. Calling a general election would create a political vacuum even under such circumstances and may encourage many voters to react strongly against the LDP-led ruling coalition, the source added. Both the LDP-led coalition and the CDPJ fell short of the 233-seat threshold to secure a majority in the powerful lower chamber of Japan's parliament in the previous general election held in October. Last week, the ruling coalition accepted a revision to the government's proposed pension reform plan, a key bill currently under consideration, agreeing to a CDPJ demand to ensure smooth parliamentary deliberations and enactment before the session ends on June 22.
