Japanese League One: Player Eligibility (2026/27 & Beyond)

Japanese League One sides will be facing rule changes regarding player eligibility for the 2026-27 season & beyond.

What’s changing?

“Category A” players are now being split into two new categories, Category A1 and Category A2.

The aim of this change is to ensure that clubs do not exploit a current “loophole” which has allowed them to build squads of foreign-bred players who have not been included as an “overseas” player under the current regulations.

Current Regulations:

The current regulations split players into three different categories:

Category A: Players of Japanese origin and players who have met the requirements to represent Japan through residency or have been exclusively registered with Japan Rugby Football Union for 48 months and have not played for another country

Category B: Foreign players who are uncapped, but who are yet to meet eligibility requirements to play for Japan.

Category C: Test capped foreign players, who are ineligible to represent Japan.

Quick Facts:

Only three internationally capped players, other than Japanese Internationals, are allowed to be registered at each club
If one of the three players gets injured and cannot complete the season, an extra foreign international player can be registered
If players are foreign born and uncapped by their nation, clubs can register no more than 10 players, including players mentioned above
Dependent on the squad size and playing roster, there is a percentage based quota for the exact number of these players allowed.

New Regulations:

The new player categories are as follows:

Category A1:
The following players will be considered as “A1” players:

Players born in Japan
A player who has a Parent or Grandparent who was born in Japan
Players who did their junior schooling in Japan
Players who have 30+ tests with Japan and who are considered foreign players (non-Japanese)
Players who have contributed to the game widely in Japan and have not reached the 30 test requirement, who are Japanese citizens

Category A2:
The following players will be considered as “A2” players:

Players who have not played 30 tests, who are considered as foreign-born players
Those eligible for Japanese residency, who are yet to play for Japan

Why are the eligibility rules changing?

The ultimate goal of these changes is to encourage clubs to develop local talent, and to close any grey areas regarding player categories, in an attempt to level the playing field.

Quick Fact: Currently 35% of all players in Division One are considered “foreign-born” players, while 26% are “foreign-born” in Division Two, and 11% in Division Three.

The loophole used by clubs allowed teams to sign more non-capped players from overseas, as they were considered ‘local players’ who met international qualification for Japan even if they had not played for the Brave Blossoms.

The League ensure that the outcome of these new regulations was first discussed with clubs.

What does this mean for foreign players wanting to play in Japanese League One?

While the changes may seem to close the door to overseas players hoping to play in Japan, it is in fact the opposite.

League One expects for business to continue as usual, with international stars still expected to make their way to the Land of the Rising Sun.

Clubs will be permitted to have a total of nine non-A1 players allowed in their matchday 23-man sides, which will be a mix of:

Non-capped foreign players
International stars who do not represent Japan, and
Japanese Test players who have not reached the requirement to be considered as ‘local’