Series “Autumn Nations”
Wales (7) 24
Tries: Edwards, Rees-Zammit, Tompkins Cons: Edwards (3) Handles: Evans
Japan (7) 23
Tries: Ishida, Makishi Cons: Lee 2 Handles: Lee 3
Substitute midfielder Jarrod Evans secured Wales' latest win over Japan with the final kick of the game in Cardiff.
After being on the Principality Stadium pitch for just four minutes, Evans overcame a penalty to end a second half in which the lead changed hands six times.
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The successful strike ended Wales' 10-match home losing streak, which spanned more than two years, and handed new head coach Steve Tandy his first win as head coach.
Wales played forward Josh Adams, who received a 20-minute red card for a dangerous clearance on Kippei Ishida just before half-time.
Wales' tries came from forward Louis Rees-Zammit, center Nick Tompkins and Dan Edwards, who finished with 11 points.
Ishida and No. 8 Faulua Makishi scored for Japan, scoring 13 points on a shot from midfielder Seungsin Lee.
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The victory ensures Wales remain in the top 12 of the world rankings until the 2027 World Cup draw next month.
Finally a home win
It has been 833 days since Wales previously won a Test match at the Principality Stadium when Warren Gatland's side defeated England in a World Cup warm-up game in August 2023.
Wales' list of defeats in Cardiff included South Africa (twice), Scotland, France, Italy, Fiji, Australia, Ireland, England and Argentina, with Eddie Jones commenting before the match that Japan needed to make sure it was a liability for the hosts. It was almost like that.
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For Japan and Jones it was a famous day that was a success. Jones captained the Brave Flowers' only victories over Wales in 2013 and 2025 – both at home.
However, Japan have never won in Wales, losing each of their previous five visits by an average margin of 51 points.
Their only previous away win against a leading country of the professional era was the famous shock victory over South Africa in Brighton at the 2015 World Cup, again orchestrated by Jones.
Japan lost to Australia, South Africa and Ireland in the November program but was encouraged by the opportunity to play against top international teams. But they failed to get over the line in Cardiff.
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Ris Zammit launch pier
Wales and Japan drew the series 1-1 in the summer, with Jones' side winning in Kitakyushu before the tourists ended a record 18-match international losing streak with victory in Cardiff.
The unofficial 2025 decider saw Rees-Zammit start for the first time in 25 months, replacing Tom Rogers, with props Nicky Smith and Archie Griffin also included in the squad.
Wales remained injury-free with inspirational captain Jack Morgan dislocating his shoulder against Argentina. This led to changes in the back line, with Leicester number eight Ollie Cracknell coming on and producing a man-of-the-match performance and Aaron Wainwright moving to blind side flanker.
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Alex Mann played in an unfamiliar role on the open side and stood out in the opening exchanges with crucial tackles and passes.
Wales opened the scoring with an opportunistic strike from Edwards, who took advantage of Japan's weak tackling.
Ishida then crossed after Japan had won the aerial battle and carried center Dylan Riley and hooker Kenji Sato hard.
The visitors played more aggressive attacking rugby with fullback Yoshitaka Yazaki making a slanting break but Japan were able to attack him.
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They were then affected by poor discipline, with Lock Epineri Uluiviti receiving a yellow card for an off-ball tackle on Mann, followed by Makisi's thunderous tackle on Aaron Wainwright.
Makishi was then punished for an illegal challenge on Edwards as Japan were reduced to 13 men for five minutes.
Wales were unable to capitalize despite Rees-Zammit making a brilliant run before failing to pass to the supporting Tomos Williams.
Adams sees red
A gaudy Wales attack failed to make use of the extra players before Adams was shown a yellow card for a dangerous challenge on Isis.
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It was upgraded to a red at half-time with a high-risk designation and Adams' hand not being bandaged.
Lee missed two penalties in the first half but managed to give Japan the lead early in the second half.
Despite being down to 14 men, Wales responded with a well-judged try, Rees-Zammit diving for his 15th try in his 34th game.
Center Ben Thomas was penalized for failing to roll, and Lee cut the deficit to one point with his second penalty.
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More poor discipline from Wales allowed Makisi to dive just before the hosts were restored to 15 men.
Thompkins was introduced as a player and the center immediately impressed, scoring with his second touch when Edwards converted.
Lee regained the lead from the penalty spot before a wild finale. Japan substitute lock Harry Hawkings was yellow-carded on his debut for a dangerous tackle on Mann.
Wales initially decided that the penalty was too far to kick on target and decided to try.
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When Japan were penalized again, Evans stepped up and struck the ball, leaving most of the 61,234 players going home delighted.
Sealing cracks with tape
A long overdue rare home win is not enough to lift Welsh rugby out of its ongoing crisis.
The fact that Japan's game this autumn was judged to be a crucial competition in the race for a place in the world's top 12 shows just how far Wales' game has sunk.
Wales have still lost 19 of their last 21 matches, with only two victories coming against Japan and no wins against a major country since the 2023 World Cup.
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They still have to face New Zealand next Saturday before their game against South Africa on November 29 outside the international window. Welsh Rugby Union (WRU).
The match against the Springboks will see Wales without their non-Welsh players – more than half the squad selected against Japan – and four Welsh professional teams will play league matches in the United Rugby Championship (URC) on the same weekend.
Off the field, uncertainty remains. The number of sides will become three after the WRU decided to cut one of the men's professional teams, although no realistic timetable or strategy has been outlined for how or when this will happen.
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Players, coaches and fans still don't know which teams they will play for or be able to support next season.
So, when the euphoria subsides, there are still many difficult times ahead. Victory over Japan provides only a glimmer of hope.
How they lined up
Wales: Murray; Rees-Zammit, Llewellyn, B. Thomas, Adams; Edwards, T. Williams; Smith, Lake (capt), Griffin, D. Jenkins, Beard, Wainwright, Mann, Cracknell.
Replacements: Belcher, Carre, Assiratti, F. Thomas, Plumtree, Hardy, J. Evans, Tompkins.
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Red card (20 minutes): Adams 40
Japan: Yazaki; Isis, Riley, Lawrence, Osadal; Lee, Saito; Kobayashi, Sato, Tamefusa, Uluiviti, Dirns (captain), Cornelsen, Shimokawa, Makishi.
Substitutions: Hirao, Furuhata, Takeuchi, Hawkings, Paul, Fukuda, Komura, Ueda.
Shin-bin: Uluiviti 25, Marks 30, Hockings 80
Judge: Matthew Carley (England)
Assistant referees: Anthony Woodthorpe (England), Nick Berry (Australia)
TMO: Andrew Jackson (England)
FRPO: Quinton Immelman (South Africa).
