Eddie Jones will coach Japan at the 2027 Rugby World Cup after surviving a performance review at the end of a mixed second year back in charge.
Japan Rugby Football Union (JRFU) chairman Kensuke Iwabuchi said after an executive board meeting on Wednesday that there had been "various discussions" before deciding to back the 65-year-old Australian head coach.
He says they confirmed that they will continue to support the current structure.
He adds they will support them so that they can move towards the World Cup in a good way.
Jones came into the 2025 season in a tenuous position, having won just four of Japan’s 11 Test matches in his first season back in charge of the national side, with the JRFU publicly demanding improvement.
This included suffering heavy defeats to England, New Zealand and France.
While 2025 came with several tough results, Jones finished the year in a better position, with the Brave Blossoms completing the season with five wins and six defeats.
Under Jones, Japan drew 1-1 in their home Test series against Wales in July before embarking on a tour of Europe last month.
After losing a close clash with Joe Schmidt's Australia 19-15, they were thrashed 61-7 by South Africa, lost 41-10 to Ireland, edged 24-23 by Wales, and beat Georgia 25-23 thanks to a last-minute penalty.
Despite some of the results on the European tour, Iwabuchi believes the team had improved under Jones in 2025.
Japan have been drawn in a pool with France, Samoa, and the United States at the 2027 World Cup in Australia.
Rugby.com.au
