American football in Japan

The Yokosuka Seahawks taking on the Yokohama Harbors at Yokosuka Field in 2009

American football was introduced to Japan in the 1930s and has grown into one of the most popular sports in the country. Each team is only allowed to have three Americans per team.

## History

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American football was introduced in the early 1930s, when Paul Rusch, a teacher and missionary from Kentucky, who came to Japan in 1925 to help rebuild following the 1923 earthquake, George Marshall, an athletic teacher at Tokyo based Rikkyo University, and two military attaches at the US embassy, Alexander George and Merritt Booth, helped to form the first football teams at three universities in Tokyo (Waseda, Meiji, Rikkyo). In November 1934, the first football game was played between an all-star team of the three Tokyo universities and a team of the Yokohama Country and Athletic Club consisting of Americans and Britons living in Japan. The Japanese college team won the game. In 1937, a game between college all-star teams from eastern and western Japan drew a crowd of about 25,000 spectators.

During World War II (1939–1945), American football in Japan came to a halt. However, soon after the war, football in Japan resumed. Rusch, who had earlier left Japan for the war, returned in 1945. During the following years, high school and junior high school teams were formed.

The 1970s saw American college football teams visiting Japan.[1] In 1971, a Utah State University team led by coach Chuck Mills and future NFL quarterback Tony Adams played two exhibition matches against Japanese All-Star teams, winning by wide margins in both games.[2] Brigham Young University played two exhibition contests in 1977, also against Japanese All-Star teams, with the American side again winning handily both times. The Cougars returned to Japan the following season to play an official regular season game against UNLV; All-American quarterback Marc Wilson threw 3 touchdown passes to lead BYU to a 28-24 victory in front of a crowd of 27,500 at Yokohama Stadium.[3]

From 1977 to 1993, a regular season game between American college teams was played in Japan, initially sponsored by Mitsubishi and known as the Mirage Bowl. The name was changed to "Coca-Cola Classic" in 1986 to reflect the game's new corporate sponsor at that time. Grambling State University defeated Temple University 35-32 in the initial game, held at Korakuen Stadium, with Grambling quarterback Doug Williams being named MVP. The annual game was moved to the Tokyo Dome in 1988, with Heisman Trophy winner Barry Sanders rushing for 332 yards and 4 touchdowns for Oklahoma State University that year against Texas Tech University, thus finishing the season with NCAA single-season records of 2,628 rushing yards and 39 touchdowns.[4] Another record-breaking performance came in 1990, when David Klingler of the University of Houston passed for a single-game record 716 yards in a 62-45 victory over Arizona State University.

Today, more than 17,000 players participate in a national competition for about 400 teams. There are two college football leagues, the Kanto League with teams from eastern Japan and the Kansai League with teams from western Japan. Each league has different divisions. The Division I of the Kanto League has two Conferences (A and B). The champions of the two leagues battle for the college championship in the Koshien Bowl.

The highest level of American Football in Japan is the X-League, an amateur league consisting of true company teams and club teams sponsored by companies. The company league was founded in 1981; since 1996, it has been called the X-League. Like the college leagues, the X-League has different divisions. The Division I has three regional divisions (East, Central, West). The two top teams of each division advance to the playoffs, called the Final 6. The championship game is called Japan X Bowl and is held in December. The X-League champion then plays against the college champion in the Rice Bowl for the Japanese national championship.

## Organization

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### Professional

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Main article: X-League (Japan)

The X-League is the highest level of football in Japan.[5] In recent years, professionals from overseas have played in the X-League, including former NFL quarterback Devin Gardner. All players in the league are amateur.[6]

### University and collegiate

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College football in Japan, often played at the club level, is made up of eight leagues, spanning all four islands. The East and West champions play in the annual Koshien Bowl in Nishinomiya.

#### East (東日本)

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* Kantoh Collegiate American Football Association
* Hokkaido American Football Association
* Tohoku Collegiate American Football Association

#### West (西日本)

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* Chushikoku Collegiate American Football Association
* Hokuriku Collegiate American Football League
* Kansai Collegiate American Football League
* Kyūshū Collegiate American Football Association
* Tokai Collegiate American Football Association

The winners of the Japan X Bowl and Koshien Bowl play each other in the Rice Bowl.

## Japan national American football team

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Further information: Japan national American football team

## References

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1. ^ A brief history of American Football in Japan
2. ^ Utah State Beats Japan Eleven, 45-6 (New York Times)
3. ^ Foreign forays: Remembering BYU’s overseas football games in Japan, Australia (Deseret News)
4. ^ This Week in Heisman History: Barry Sanders caps record season in Tokyo (CBS Sports)
5. ^ The X League: Professional football in Japan
6. ^ "X-League | Recruitment". www.seagulls.jp. Archived from the original on 2016-05-22.

## External links

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to American football.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to College football.

* Gridiron Japan
* American Football in Japan
* Japan American Football Association (in Japanese)

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Sport in Japan

Team sports|

* American football
* Baseball
* Basketball
* Beach soccer
* Cricket
* Disability
* Football
* Futsal
* Handball
* Ice hockey
* Rugby union
* Volleyball

Individual sports|

* Athletics
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International competitions|

* Olympics
* Paralympics
* Deaflympics
* World Games
* Asian Games
* Universiade
* Team sport

* Japan Sports Agency [ja]
* Olympic Committee
* List of sporting events in Japan
* List of stadiums in Japan

* v
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Collegiate American Football in Japan

East Japan - 東日本|

* Kanto
* Hokkaido
* Tohoku

West Japan - 西日本|

* Chushikoku
* Hokuriku
* Kansai
* Kyūshū
* Tokai

Bowl games|

* Azuma
* American
* Christmas
* Heiwadai
* Ivy
* Japan
* Japan X
* Koshien (All-Japan Collegiate Football Championship)
* Legacy
* Mirage
* Pearl
* Pine
* Rice
* Tokyo
* Western Japan

People|

* Masafumi Kawaguchi
* Joe Roth
* Paul Rusch
* David Stant

Seasons|

* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020

Major Venues|

* National Stadium
* Sapporo Dome
* Tomahawks Field
* Tokyo Dome
* Yokohama Stadium
* Yurtec Stadium Sendai

See also|

* American football in Japan
* Eyeshield 21
* IFAF Asia
* JAFA
* Japan national American football team
* List of Japanese collegiate American football programs
* Paul Rusch Cup
* X-League

* v
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* e

Chushikoku Collegiate American Football Association

Division 1|

* Hiroshima Raccoons
* Shimane Warriors
* Ehime Bombers
* Kōchi Marine Corps

Division 2|

* Matsuyama Blue Arrows
* Prefectural University of Hiroshima Knights
* Tokyo University of Science, Yamaguchi Ball Pythons
* Yamaguchi Gamblers

Bowl Games|

* Heiwadai Bowl

* v
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* e

Hokkaido American Football Association

Division 1|

* HSUH First Molars
* HUS Wolves
* Hokkai Gakuen Golden Bears
* Hokkaido Big Green
* Hokusei Gakuen Pirates
* Kushiro Golden Cranes
* Muroran Tech Black Panthers
* Nodai Fighting Radish
* Obihiro Cowboys
* Sapporo Cubs
* Sapporo Gakuin Crimson Knights

Defunct teams|

* Otaru Tomahawks

Bowl Games|

* Pine Bowl

Seasons|

* 1975
* 1976
* 1977
* 1978
* 1979
* 1980
* 1981
* 1982
* 1983
* 1984
* 1985
* 1986
* 1987
* 1988
* 1989
* 1990
* 1991
* 1992
* 1993
* 1994
* 1995
* 1996
* 1997
* 1998
* 1999
* 2000
* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020

See also|

* Sapporo Dome

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Hokuriku Collegiate American Football League

Members|

* Fukui Prefectural Wilders
* KIT Eagles
* Kanazawa Evergreen
* Fukui Silver Phoenix
* Toyama Firebulls

Seasons|

* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018

* v
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* e

Kansai Collegiate American Football League

Division 1|

* Doshisha Wild Rover
* Kansai Kaisers
* Kendai Big Blue
* Kobe Ravens
* Konan Red Gang
* Kwansei Gakuin Fighters
* Kyoto Gangsters
* Ritsumeikan Panthers

Division 2|

* Hyogo Trail Blazers
* Kobe Gakuin Navy Seals
* Kyoto Sangyo Saggitarius
* Momoyama Gakuin Thundering Legion Lions
* Osaka Tridents
* Osaka Metropolitan Paladins
* Ryukoku Seahorse
* Wakayama Blind Sharks

Defunct|

* Osaka Prefecture Shrikes

Bowls|

* Koshien Bowl
* Rice Bowl
* Tokyo Bowl

Seasons|

* 1941
* 1942
* Did not play 1943-1945 because of World War II
* 1946
* 1947
* 1948
* 1949
* 1950
* 1951
* 1952
* 1953
* 1954
* 1955
* 1956
* 1957
* 1958
* 1959
* 1960
* 1961
* 1962
* 1963
* 1964
* 1965
* 1966
* 1967
* 1968
* 1969
* 1970
* 1971
* 1972
* 1973
* 1974
* 1975
* 1976
* 1977
* 1978
* 1979
* 1980
* 1981
* 1982
* 1983
* 1984
* 1985
* 1986
* 1987
* 1988
* 1989
* 1990
* 1991
* 1992
* 1993
* 1994
* 1995
* 1996
* 1997
* 1998
* 1999
* 2000
* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022

See also|

* Legacy Bowl
* X-League

* v
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Kantoh Collegiate American Football Association

Division 1|

| Top 8|

* Chuo Racoons
* Hosei Orange
* Keio Unicorns
* Meiji Griffins
* Nihon Phoenix
* NSSU Triumphant Lion
* Rikkyo Rushers
* Waseda Big Bears

|

Big 8|

* Kokushikan Rhinoceros
* Komazawa Blue Tide
* Senshu Green Machine
* Takushoku Rattlesnakes
* Teikyo Assassins
* Tokyo Gakugei Snails
* UTokyo Warriors
* YNU Mastiffs

Division 2|

| A Block|

* Aoyama Gakuin Lightning
* Kanagawa Atoms
* NDA Cadets
* Seikei Zelkovas
* Sophia Golden Eagles
* Tokai Tritons
* Toyo Vikings
* Tsukuba Excaliburs

|

B Block|

* Gakushuin Generals
* Hitotsubashi Crimson
* J.F. Oberlin Three Nails Crowns
* Kanto Gakuin Hurricanes
* Meiji Saints
* Seijo Orange Beams
* Tokyo Tech Buffaloes
* Tokyo Nodai Aggies

Division 3|

| A Block|

* Daito Bunka Wild Boars
* Dokkyo Green Monsters
* Sōka Blue Lions
* TUAT Blasters
* TMU Scrappers
* UEC Crushers

|

B Block|

* KUIS Stingers
* Musashi Pheasants
* Tamagawa Stallion
* Tokyo International Dolphins
* TUFS Phantoms
* YCU Fighting Seagulls

C Block|

* Asia Angels
* Chiba Poseidon
* ICU Apostles
* Kogakuin Crash Machines
* Saitama Primrose
* TUS Rascals

D Block|

* Bunkyo Odin
* Josai B-Rhinos
* Niigata Tigers
* Ryutsu Keizai RKU football
* SIT Fighting Engineers
* Utsunomiya Bull Fighters

Area League|

| A Block|

* Hakuoh Rascals
* Rissho Bulldogs
* Takasaki City University of Economics Bandits
* Yamanashi Wyverns

|

B Block|

* CIT Hornets
* Ibaraki Stargazers
* NIT River Horse
* Teikyo Heisei Blue Wings

C Block|

* Meisei Silver Knights
* Takachiho Eagles
* TCU Helios
* TKU Falcons
* Tokyo Tech Cerberus

Medical and
Dental League|

| Division 1|

* DMU Dum Dums
* Jikei Medical Crickets
* Keio Medical Unicorns
* Kitasato Medical Oaks
* TU Faculty Scorpions
* TMU Meribibazu

|

Division 2|

A Block
Showa Maddogs
Teikyo Medical Rascals
TMDU Stones

B Block
Nihon Medical Monster Squad
St. Marianna Roadrunners
SMU Mulberry

Top 8 Seasons|

* 2016

Venues|

* Tomahawks Field

Championships|

* Azuma Bowl
* Koshien Bowl
* Rice Bowl
* Tokyo Bowl

* v
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* e

Tohoku Collegiate American Football Association

Members|

* Nihon (Engineering Department) Crow Jeckles
* Tohoku Institute of Technology Blue Raiders
* Tohoku Gakuin Kayaks
* Sendai Silver Falcons
* Yamagata Tomcats
* Tohoku Hornets
* Iwate Bisons
* Hirosaki Starking
* Akita Ogres
* Kitasato Cowboys

Bowl Games|

* Pine Bowl

* v
* t
* e

Tokai Collegiate American Football Association

Block 1|

* Aichi Gakuin Bisons
* Aichi Hercules
* Chukyo Eagles
* Meijo Golden Lions
* Nagoya Grampus
* Nanzan Crusaders

Block 2|

* Gifu Phantoms
* Mie Seaserpents
* Nagoya Gakuin Torpedoes
* Nagoya Tech Silverbacks
* NUCB Wild Fox
* Nihon Fukushi Wings
* Shinshu Wildcats
* Sizuoka Cavaliers
* Tokai Poseidens
* Yokkaichi Wild Drunkers

* v
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* e

X-League

X1|

| Super|

* Panasonic Impulse
* Fujitsu Frontiers
* Obic Seagulls
* IBM Big Blue
* Nojima Sagamihara Rise
* Tokyo Gas Creators
* Elecom Kobe Finies
* All Mitsubishi Lions
* Asahi Beer Silver Star
* Asahi Soft Drink Challengers
* Me-Life Fukuoka Suns
* Deers

|

Area|

* Keishichou Eagles
* PentaOcean Pirates
* As One Black Eagles
* Dentsu Caterpillars
* Nagoya Cyclones
* Fuji Xerox Minerva AFC
* Bullseyes-Tokyo

X2|

* Yokohama Harbors
* Bulls
* Hawkeye
* Warriors
* Blue Thunders
* Nishiomiya Bruins
* Barbarian
* Shitamachi Gorillas
* Golden Fighters
* Zero Fighters
* Hurricanes
* Osaka Gas Skunks
* Wranglers
* Kawasaki Ox
* Sidewinders
* AFC Cranes
* Ibaraki Saviors
* Triaxis J-Stars
* Sony Solidstate

X3|

* Mitsui Seagulls

Championship|

* Japan X Bowl
* Rice Bowl

See also|

* Green Bowl
* Paul Rusch Cup
* Pearl Bowl
* All X-League Team
* List of defunct X-League franchises

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