Ohata sets world record in win over Georgia

Ohata sets world record in win over Georgia

OSAKA, Japan - Winger Daisuke Ohata waves to fans after scoring a hat trick of tries en route to setting a world record for test match tries in international competition in Japan's 32-7 victory over Georgia at Hanazono Ground in Higashi Osaka on May 14. Ohata marked his 65th career try to surpass the record of 64 set by David Campese of Australia.

Suntory beat Kobe Steel in corporate rugby final

Suntory beat Kobe Steel in corporate rugby final

HIGASHI-OSAKA, Japan - Suntory members rejoice after claiming a 50-31 victory over Kobe Steel on Jan. 13 in the final of the corporate rugby championship at the Hanazono rugby ground in Osaka Prefecture.

Suntory beat Kobe Steel in corporate rugby final

Suntory beat Kobe Steel in corporate rugby final

HIGASHI-OSAKA, Japan - Suntory members rejoice after claiming a 50-31 victory over Kobe Steel on Jan. 13 in the final of the corporate rugby championship at the Hanazono rugby ground in Osaka Prefecture.

Ohata sets world record in win over Georgia

Ohata sets world record in win over Georgia

OSAKA, Japan - Winger Daisuke Ohata waves to fans after scoring a hat trick of tries en route to setting a world record for test match tries in international competition in Japan's 32-7 victory over Georgia at Hanazono Ground in Higashi Osaka on May 14. Ohata marked his 65th career try to surpass the record of 64 set by David Campese of Australia. (Kyodo)

High school rugby tourney has record attendance in Japan

High school rugby tourney has record attendance in Japan

Spectators watch the final of the 95th national high school rugby tournament at Hanazono Rugby Ground in Higashi-Osaka, Japan, on Jan. 11, 2016. Buoyed by Japan's strong run at the 2015 Rugby World Cup in England, the high school tournament had a record total attendance of 127,123, an increase of more than 30,000 from the previous meet. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Rugby: Suntory's title hopes once again in their own hands

Rugby: Suntory's title hopes once again in their own hands

George Smith (L) scores a try in the first half of Suntory Sungoliath's 29-5 win over NTT Communications Shining Arcs at Hanazono Rugby Ground in Higashi-Osaka on Dec. 3, 2016. Suntory will take on Kobe Kobelco Steelers on Jan. 14, 2017, with the Japan Rugby Top League title at stake. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Antiterrorism drill at RWC venue in Osaka

Antiterrorism drill at RWC venue in Osaka

Members of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force take part in a drill against a terrorist attack on Nov. 21, 2018, at Hanazono Rugby Stadium, a 2019 World Cup venue in Osaka Prefecture. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Rugby: 2019 World Cup promotional event in Japan

Rugby: 2019 World Cup promotional event in Japan

Participants clean up the streets around Hanazono Rugby Ground in Higashi-Osaka, western Japan, on Sept. 20, 2017, in a promotional event for the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Rugby: Smith, Pocock to go head-to-head in All-Japan C'ship final

Rugby: Smith, Pocock to go head-to-head in All-Japan C'ship final

Naoki Ozawa scores a try in the first half of Suntory Sungoliath's 54-29 win over Teikyo University in a semifinal of the All Japan Championship at Hanazono Rugby Ground in Higashi-Osaka, Osaka Prefecture, on Jan. 21, 2017. The Jan. 29 final will feature a match-up between two of rugby's greatest-ever back-row forwards, Suntory's George Smith and David Pocock of Panasonic Wild Knights. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Rugby: Smith, Pocock to go head-to-head in All-Japan C'ship final

Rugby: Smith, Pocock to go head-to-head in All-Japan C'ship final

Akihito Yamada scores a try in the first half of Panasonic Wild Knights' 36-24 win over Yahama Jubilo in a semifinal of the All Japan Championship at Hanazono Rugby Ground in Higashi-Osaka, Osaka Prefecture, on Jan. 21, 2017. The Jan. 29 final will feature a match-up between two of rugby's greatest-ever back-row forwards, Panasonic's David Pocock and George Smith of Suntory Sungoliath. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo