Rugby: Japan's League One signals softened stance over nationality dispute

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.