Fiji secured their sixth Pacific Nations Cup title after they beat Japan 35-12 in their final-round match at Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
Samoa defeated Japan 24-22 in their Pacific Nations Cup opener in Sapporo after Michael Leitch's red card in the 30th minute.
Japan head coach Jamie Joseph believes that their unique style will cause their Pool D rivals problems at the Rugby World Cup.
After 'reading the tea leaves', New Zealand coach Ian Foster admitted that he doesn't see himself leading the All Blacks next year.
Superstar lock Brodie Retallick is the latest All Blacks player to commit to a Japanese club following the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
A strong second half by Japan saw the Springbok Women's Sevens team slip to defeat in their final match at the HSBC Cape Town Sevens at DHL Stadium on Sunday.