TOKYO - Japan Rugby League One indicated Thursday it is working toward a compromise with naturalized players who have mounted a legal challenge against new eligibility rules that would limit their playing opportunities compared to their Japanese-born counterparts.
A group of 24 foreign-born players with Japanese citizenship have filed complaints with the Japan Fair Trade Commission and the Tokyo District Court over the introduction from next season of A-1 and A-2 categories aimed at boosting the number of homegrown players coming up through the domestic rugby system.
They have called for transitional measures so that those currently recognized as Category A -- Japanese nationals without playing restrictions -- are not stripped of that status and reclassified as A-2 players with a smaller number of playing slots on the field during games and in match-day squads.
The league's statement signaled a shift in its stance after previously stating it had no plans to review the new rules, including a requirement that naturalized players have either spent six years of compulsory education in Japan or earned at least 30 test caps for the Brave Blossoms to qualify as A-1.
"During settlement discussions before the Tokyo District Court, the parties have been discussing a proposed revision under which certain players who would have been classified as Category A-2 under the previously announced system would instead be classified as Category A-1," the statement said. "We will announce further details regarding the revision of the system in due course, based on the outcome of the settlement discussions."
One of the 24 players, former Japan international Timothy Lafaele, earlier in the day spoke on their behalf in a press conference at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan in Tokyo.
He said they shared League One's goal of developing more homegrown talent but wanted a fair transition that recognized their contributions to the game and kept their existing status.
"I truly believe League One has the potential to become the best rugby competition in the world but to achieve that, its rules must reflect fairness and inclusivity, not only for the Japanese-born players, but also the foreign-born players who have committed their lives to Japan, earned citizenship, represented Japan and are proud to call the country home," the 34-year-old Kobe Steelers center said.
The Samoan-born Lafaele, who moved to Japan in university and has 28 caps for his adopted country, said he and other naturalized players had demonstrated enough "commitment, contribution and service to Japanese rugby" to be recognized as domestic players.
The group taking part in the legal action also includes former Japan internationals Gu Ji Won, Isileli Nakajima, Asaeli Ai Valu, Hendrick Tui and Lomano Lava Lemeki, all of whom have agreed to be identified publicly.
"We all share the same to goal, to see rugby in Japan continue to grow and become one of the strongest competitions in the world," Lafaele said.
Attorney Seiji Makino, who represents the players, indicated that the discussions with League One had recently become more constructive.
"Two weeks ago, I was full of passion to criticize League One, but now, actually, we are having a good conversation...a very good conversation with League One," Makino said.
