World Rugby And JRFU Respond On Ruling Of Asia Rugby’s Baseless Suspension of the JRFU Chairman

World Rugby, on 23 April 2025, released its findings of the temporary suspension of Japan Rugby Football Union (JRFU) Chairman Kensuke Iwabuchi from the Asia Rugby Executive Committee, calling the decision baseless, and they expect that Mr Iwabuchi will be reinstated to his position. The JRFU has called for an apology from the Asia Rugby president, Qais Al-Dhalai.

Photo Credit – The Japan Times (2019)

Following the review from a World Rugby-appointed Disciplinary Officer following a formal complaint by the Japan Rugby Football Union regarding the manner of the provisional suspension, the Disciplinary Officer decided that Mr Iwabuchi’s conduct did not suggest any breach of Asia Rugby’s Articles of Association, Constitution and/or Code of Conduct, and/or World Rugby Regulation 18.”

The JRFU announced that they welcomed the findings of the independent Disciplinary Officer, and JRFU President Masato Tsuchida said: “JRFU is delighted that through this independent World Rugby-led investigation, Mr. Iwabuchi’s reputation has been restored and Asia Rugby has been called out for its significant governance failures and lack of transparency”.

While the outcome is a relief for both Mr. Iwabuchi and the JRFU, the reckless behaviour of Asia Rugby in suspending Mr. Iwabuchi without any due process and issuing a vague and potentially defamatory press release at the time is very damaging to the reputation of Asia Rugby,” added the JRFU President.

World Rugby Conclusion – Asia Rugby Suspension of the JRFU Chairman

World Rugby published the following: “The apparent allegation is that on dates between 21 December 2024 and 9 January 2025, Mr Iwabuchi raised queries with Asia Rugby regarding the contents of documents which Asia Rugby EXCO members were required to sign, namely the

• (a) Non-Disclosure Agreement,
• (b) Executive Committee Employment Declaration, and
• (c) Declaration of Income from Rugby-Related Activities. From the correspondence received,

I have observed Mr Iwabuchi making entirely reasonable queries regarding the nature and contents of this documentation, which evidences good governance practice on his part.”

Based on the correspondence provided, the Disciplinary Officer found that Mr Iwabuchi’s queries were not adequately addressed by Asia Rugby, and he was then temporarily suspended a short time later.

The JRFU President added,  “We were pleased to note in the correspondence that both parties received from World Rugby regarding the decision, that the Disciplinary Officer emphasised in the report that a fundamental principle of good governance is that disciplinary processes are clear and transparent, particularly to those individual(s) impacted by the process, and this was clearly not the case in relation to how Asia Rugby conducted itself in this matter.”

Photo Credit – JRFU

The JRFU expects Mr. Iwabuchi to be reinstated as an Executive Committee Member of Asia Rugby with immediate effect and added that it will be “writing to the President of Asia Rugby, Mr. Qais Al-Dhalai, requesting him to issue a public apology to Mr. Iwabuchi.”

Asian Rugby News

• Hong Kong China Rugby Relaunches Dragons Programme.
• Hong Kong China Rugby and Japan Rugby Football Union Signed an MoU at the 2025 Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens.
• All-Male Committee Chairpersons Appointed By Asia Rugby For 2024-2028.
• Asia Rugby President & EXCO 2024-2028 – Financial Fallout Continues.