Latest news with #KensukeIwabuchi
Japan Times
25-04-2025
- Sport
- Japan Times
Furious Japan seeks apology after 'no basis' found for chairman's Asia Rugby ban
Furious Japanese rugby chiefs said on Thursday they were demanding an apology from "reckless" Asia Rugby after an independent review found the regional association suspended Japan Rugby Football Union chairman Kensuke Iwabuchi with "no basis." World Rugby was called in to investigate in February when Asia Rugby banned Iwabuchi from its executive committee for a potential code of conduct breach. The independent review by the sport's global governing body cleared Iwabuchi of any wrongdoing and called on Asia Rugby to reinstate him to his executive committee position.
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Japan, Asia Rugby clash over the suspension of JRFU executive and former player Iwabuchi
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — The Japan Rugby Football Union is challenging a decision by Asia Rugby to temporarily suspend JRFU executive director Kensuke Iwabuchi over a possible Code of Conduct breach in an unprecedented squabble between the national and regional bodies. Iwabuchi is an influential figure within Japan rugby, a former international flyhalf and JRFU chairman who played a major role in the reappointment of Australian Eddie Jones as Japan national coach. Asia Rugby announced the suspension of Iwabuchi who was elected late last year as its vice-president. 'In line with Asia Rugby principles of Equality, Transparency and Accountability and due to a potential Code of Conduct breach, Asia Rugby Executive Committee has decided to suspend Mr. Kensuke Iwabuchi ... from any duties and responsibilities until the pending investigation is concluded,." said an Asia Rugby statement. The JRFU responded Tuesday, posting a statement on its website indicating it was investigating the circumstances behind Asia Rugby's decision. 'The association has confirmed that the individual in question has not engaged in any conduct that runs counter to Asia Rugby's principles of equality, transparency and accountability and is acting in accordance with the Code of Conduct. The association will continue to do its utmost to contribute to the development of Asia Rugby.' Asia Rugby has 36 national member unions of which Japan is the most prominent. It works under the auspices of World Rugby. Japan currently is behind the growing profile rugby in the Asia region through its widely-televised professional Japan League One which has attracted some of the world's best players. ___ AP rugby: Steve Mcmorran, The Associated Press
Associated Press
26-02-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
Japan, Asia Rugby clash over the suspension of JRFU executive and former player Iwabuchi
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — The Japan Rugby Football Union is challenging a decision by Asia Rugby to temporarily suspend JRFU executive director Kensuke Iwabuchi over a possible Code of Conduct breach in an unprecedented squabble between the national and regional bodies. Iwabuchi is an influential figure within Japan rugby, a former international flyhalf and JRFU chairman who played a major role in the reappointment of Australian Eddie Jones as Japan national coach. Asia Rugby announced the suspension of Iwabuchi who was elected late last year as its vice-president. 'In line with Asia Rugby principles of Equality, Transparency and Accountability and due to a potential Code of Conduct breach, Asia Rugby Executive Committee has decided to suspend Mr. Kensuke Iwabuchi ... from any duties and responsibilities until the pending investigation is concluded,.' said an Asia Rugby statement. The JRFU responded Tuesday, posting a statement on its website indicating it was investigating the circumstances behind Asia Rugby's decision. 'The association has confirmed that the individual in question has not engaged in any conduct that runs counter to Asia Rugby's principles of equality, transparency and accountability and is acting in accordance with the Code of Conduct. The association will continue to do its utmost to contribute to the development of Asia Rugby.' Asia Rugby has 36 national member unions of which Japan is the most prominent. It works under the auspices of World Rugby. Japan currently is behind the growing profile rugby in the Asia region through its widely-televised professional Japan League One which has attracted some of the world's best players. ___
Japan Times
25-02-2025
- Sport
- Japan Times
Japan seeks answers after Asia Rugby suspends vice president
Japan's rugby union said Tuesday it was seeking answers after its chairman Kensuke Iwabuchi was suspended from his position with Asia Rugby pending an investigation into a potential code of conduct breach. Asia Rugby said Monday that Iwabuchi, who was elected as one of the organization's three vice presidents in November, was suspended from "any duties and responsibilities until the pending investigation is concluded." It said he had been suspended "in line with Asia Rugby principles of equality, transparency and accountability," without giving further details. Asia Rugby is the regional association of World Rugby, the global governing body. Iwabuchi has served as chairman of the Japan Rugby Football Union since 2019 and was instrumental in bringing Eddie Jones back for a second stint as head coach last year. The JRFU said in a statement that it was seeking clarification from Asia Rugby. "The JRFU is trying to confirm the circumstances and reasons why our chairman Kensuke Iwabuchi has been temporarily suspended from his position as Asia Rugby vice president, which was announced on February 24," the statement said. "We have confirmed that he has not committed any act that goes against Asia Rugby's principles of equality, transparency and accountability, and that he is responding in accordance with the code of conduct. "We will continue to do our best to develop Asian rugby." Japan is set to play home games against Wales and Australia this year before taking on Ireland, Wales and Georgia in a November tour of Europe.
Associated Press
31-01-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
Australia's Wallabies add a test in Japan to a big 2025 rugby schedule
SYDNEY (AP) — The Wallabies will play a test in Japan in October ahead of their European tour in what will be a packed international rugby schedule for Australia's national team in 2025. Australia and Japan will meet in Tokyo at the National Stadium on Oct. 25. The Wallabies have a 6-0 record in head-to-heads but haven't played in Japan since 2021. It will be the first test between the two countries since Eddie Jones quit as Wallabies coach in the wake of a dismal Rugby World Cup campaign in 2023 and later returned to Japan for a second stint in charge of the Japanese men's team. 'As the hosts of the next men's Rugby World Cup in 2027, Australia's visit is sure to evoke fond memories of our own World Cup in 2019 — not only for Brave Blossoms fans, but also for the large Wallaby contingent who contributed so much to the spectacle and atmosphere of the tournament,' Japan rugby federation chairman Kensuke Iwabuchi said. The Wallabies kick off their international season against Fiji on July 6 before taking on the British and Irish Lions on consecutive weekends in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney starting July 19. That will be followed by Rugby Championship tests against World Cup champion South Africa, New Zealand and Argentina between Aug. 16 and Oct. 4. ___
