Japan's rugby team shows off the changing face of the nation

Like tennis star Naomi Osaka and NBA player Rui Hachimura, Japan's rugby team offers a diverse and slightly different look for an insular but changing country.

Of the 23 players who earned Japan's historic first appearance in the Rugby World Cup quarterfinals on Sunday, only 11 were born to Japanese parents.

The rest were a mix of nationalities with various ties to Japan, who held out Scotland 28-21 in a thrilling match before a partisan crowd of 68,000 at Yokohama Stadium.

Japan players and management celebrate after defeating Scotland 28-21 in their Rugby World Cup Pool A game at International Stadium in Yokohama, Japan, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019. (AP PhotoChristophe Ena)

"I believe (the team) can be a mirror of this Japanese society," Hideto Itami said in English alongside his wife Chikako at the match. "Gradually, we have so many foreigners as a part of Japanese society."

Fans held up signs that read "We Are One Team" to celebrate the milestone victory, and the rest of Japan is becoming convinced. There was criticism of the amount of foreigners when the squad was announced in August, and that has died down as the team has gone on an unprecedented winning run through its pool.

The win against Samoa last weekend drew a record TV audience in Japan of 46.1% on free-to-air Nippon Television. Local media said it was the most-watched sporting event of the year in Japan, surpassing Osaka's win in the Australian Open final. That mark was expected to be shattered on Sunday night, with the promise of a quarterfinal next weekend against two-time champion South Africa.

A Japan fan cheers during the Rugby World Cup Pool A game at International Stadium between Japan and Scotland in Yokohama, Japan, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019. (AP PhotoEugene Hoshiko)

Flyhalf Yu Tamura, the leading scorer in the tournament, was born to Japanese parents, along with winger Kenki Fukuoka, who has four tries in three matches.

Several players are eligible for Japan because of rugby's three-year residency rule, including South Korean-born Jiwon Koo, New Zealand-born Luke Thompson, and Australia-born James Moore.

Captain Michael Leitch was born in New Zealand with Fijian heritage, but came to Japan to study when he was 15 and speaks Japanese better than English. He's the face of Japanese rugby, and his sponsors have placed him in media everywhere.

Japan's Kotaro Matsushima is chased by Scotland's Chris Harris, left, and Stuart Hogg, during the Rugby World Cup Pool A game at International Stadium between Japan and Scotland in Yokohama, Japan, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019. (AP PhotoEugene Hoshiko)

Winger Kotaro Matsushima was born in South Africa to a Japanese mother and a Zimbabwean father.

And Jamie Joseph — a former New Zealand forward — switched to play for Japan in 1999 and now coaches the Brave Blossoms.

To be fair, Scotland had several non-Scotland-born players.

Japan's Kenki Fukuoka scores a try during the Rugby World Cup Pool A game at International Stadium against Scotland in Yokohama, Japan, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019. (AP PhotoJae Hong)

Some children in Japan with one non-Japanese parent have often been bullied and called "hafu" from the English word "half." The demeaning term could fall out of use as more and more Japanese have a non-Japanese-born parent and immigrant roots.

"I'd like all Japanese people to understand the changing of Japanese society," Itami said, with the Chinese characters meaning "To win" painted on his right cheek. "We do not need to care if the blood is purely Japanese or not. If they understand the Japanese way, that's all that's needed."

His wife had "I Love Japan" painted on her left cheek and was wearing a good-luck charm from a Shinto shrine.

"Honestly, many younger people — even Japan-born — sometimes do not understand our history or our culture," Imani said.

Japanese Asuka Mitachi stood nearby, watching as women in kimonos and men in kilts passed by as she returned to her seat. Some Japanese women wore tartan plaid skirts, topped off by Japan's red and white jersey. Many carried fans that opened to reveal the word "Try."

"We're a very international team," Mitachi said. "Very much the future. The future of Japan is international."

More AP Rugby World Cup: https://www.apnews.com/RugbyWorldCup and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

WADI AD-DAWASIR, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Nani Roma overcame three punctures to lead the Dakar Rally for the first time in 12 years after a dramatic stage nine on Tuesday.

Five-time champion Nasser Al-Attiyah held the lead since Friday until four-time winner Carlos Sainz took over after Al-Attiyah got lost. Then 2014 champion Roma seized it at the very end after Sainz also lost his way and was penalized for speeding.

The motorbikes took a different, slightly longer northwest route out of Wadi ad-Dawasir and, without the benefit of bike tracks to follow, the cars struggled to stay on course.

The 410-kilometer first half of a marathon stage was claimed by Eryk Gozcal for his maiden major stage win, made even more special by his uncle Michal finishing second nearly eight minutes back. Eryk's father Marek, who heads their family-run team driving Toyotas, was 26th. Marek inspired Eryk to become the youngest ever Dakar driver in 2023 at 18.

Saood Variawa, following his stage victory on Monday, opened the way and was soon joined by Toyota Gazoo teammate Henk Lategan. But Lategan, third overall at the start of the day, lost 14 minutes at the 183-kilometer pit stop to fix his power steering. Ford's Mitch Guthrie, the stage three winner, was also stalled at the pit stop to repair an oil leak. He finished the stage more than an hour behind.

Sébastien Loeb’s Dacia, running fifth, lost power steering at 220 kilometers. Teammate Lucas Moraes, who had been leading the stage for over 200 kilometers, struck navigation problems and, at around 280, Dacia leader Al-Attiyah and Ford’s Mattias Ekström lost their way.

Al-Attiyah's provisional overall lead of nearly seven minutes over Ekström and more than 13 minutes over Roma evaporated in the dust.

Sainz, hanging in the top five for the past week, suddenly led the provisional general standings, followed by Roma and Al-Attiyah. Then a 70-second speeding penalty cost him. The Fords of Spaniards Sainz and Roma finished the stage in seventh and eighth within five seconds of each other.

“Everyone had problems today,” Roma said. “Now we cross the fingers. We must be humble and quiet and try to arrive in Bisha tomorrow well.”

Roma rose from fourth overnight to first overall by 57 seconds over Sainz, followed by Al-Attiyah (1:10 down), Lategan (6:13) and Ekstrom (11:19).

It's the closest top five ever this deep into a Dakar. The second half of the marathon stage to Bisha is on Wednesday and the race ends on Saturday.

The motorbike lead also changed, reverting to defending champion Daniel Sanders after KTM teammate Luciano Benavides became lost early while opening the way.

Sanders recovered to overtake Benavides and pick up time bonuses. Sanders was eventually caught himself by Honda's Tosha Schareina, who went on to win his third stage of this Dakar. Sanders was second, 4 1/2 minutes back, and Michael Docherty a surprising third to keep Honda's Ricky Brabec off the podium.

Overall, Sanders has a six-minute lead over Brabec, and seven minutes over Benavides. Schareina cut his deficit to 15 1/2 minutes.

AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing

Driver Carlos Sainz gives a phone call at the end of the ninth stage of the Dakar Rally between Wadi Ad Dawasir and Bisha, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday, Jan.13, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Driver Guillaume de Mevius and co-driver Mathieu Baumel change a tire of their car at the end of the ninth stage of the Dakar Rally between Wadi Ad Dawasir and Bisha, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday, Jan.13, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Driver Mattias Ekstrom and co-driver Emil Bergkvist check their car at the end of the ninth stage of the Dakar Rally between Wadi Ad Dawasir and Bisha, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday, Jan.13, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Driver Simon Vitse and co-driver Max Delfino check their car at the end of the ninth stage of the Dakar Rally between Wadi Ad Dawasir and Bisha, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday, Jan.13, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Journalists film driver Carlos Sainz, center, and co-driver Lucas Cruz at the end of the ninth stage of the Dakar Rally between Wadi Ad Dawasir and Bisha, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday, Jan.13, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)