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On 17th March, 2026, the Japan Rugby League One announced that AZ-COM Maruwa MOMOTARO'S will join the JRLO Division 3 from the 2026-27 season.
The club is part of AZ-COM Maruwa Transportation and Logistics company, and the rugby club was established in 2014. Their financial backing comes from the company CEO, Japanese billionaire Masaru Wasami, who is a passionate rugby fan.
The club were promoted to play in the Japan Rugby Top East League (Japan’s 4th division) in 2024 and won the League the following year. They also won the All Japan Corporate Rugby Football tournament in January 2026. The current squad includes one player born in Australia, two players born in Tonga and five in New Zealand- some of whom have Super Rugby and Top 14 experience.
Their squad also includes 31-capped Brave Blossom Yoshikazu Fujita and 4-time Japanese international prop Kanta Higashionna.
The club announced online, following their admittance to JRLO, “We are grateful for the opportunity to play on this grand stage, and we also sympathise with and deeply understand League One’s values and philosophy. “For All”, and we will demonstrate this through our actions. We will strive to inspire the local community through rugby.”
Two teams had applied to join in June 2025, and after a lengthy review by the New Team Selection Committee and the subsequent resolution by the Board of Directors, AZ-COM Maruwa MOMOTARO'S was deemed likely to meet the entry criteria.
There will be no change to the promotion/relegation playoff format for the NTT Japan Rugby League One 2025-26 season as a result of the decision of the new participating team, which increases the size of Division 3 to seven teams.
The JRLO said in its announcement that the AZ-COM Maruwa MOMOTARO'S team name, emblem, and logo for joining League One will be announced at a later date.
A decision was originally expected in January this year, but a final evaluation was based on confirmation of the required criteria and each team's performance, and after additional time was needed for final confirmation and adjustment of the host area and host stadium.
The eligible teams needed to secure a stadium that meets the following criteria, or have a plan for securing one.
Capacity of over 2,500 people
50% of host games will be held at the host stadium (multiple options are possible).
Over 80% of the stadiums (including both the host and secondary stadiums) will be used for the event.
The stadium must meet the facility standards separately set by the league.
AZ-COM Maruwa MOMOTARO'S will use the Jubei Sports Field Nakadai (Narita City, Chiba Prefecture) next season. The facilities are a 10-minute walk from JR Narita Station. A gymnasium, baseball field, and tennis court are also on-site.
The number of teams in each division of the Japan Rugby League One for the 2026-27 season will be;
D1: 12 teams
D2: 8 teams
D3: 7 teams
The six teams currently competing in D3 are: LeRIRO Fukuoka, Yakult Levins Toda, SKYACTIVS HIROSHIMA, SAYAMA SECOM RUGGUTs, Chugoku Electric Power Red Regulions and Kurita Water Gush Akishima.
All three of SAYAMA SECOM RUGGUTs, Yakult Levins Toda and LeRIRO Fukuoka only joined the JRLO for the 2024-2025 season.
SKYACTIVS HIROSHIMA are currently undefeated this season after 9 rounds in D3.