Japanese Rugby Stars in Limbo as New Rules Limit Foreign Players

Timothy Lafaele, a Samoan-born rugby player who holds a Japanese passport and has played 28 times for Japan's national team, is among those affected by new rules that limit foreign players' opportunities in the domestic top league. The rule change, set to take effect in December, specifies that players must have resided in Japan for at least 6 of 9 years during elementary and junior-high school to qualify for the highest category of eligibility. Lafaele and other foreign players feel insulted and sidelined by the new rules, which they argue could force some into retirement. Japan rugby officials say the move aims to boost the number of Japan-born players, but Lafaele doubts it will help increase local interest in the sport.