Taiyo Seimei Women’s Sevens Series 2025 Tournament One – Kumagaya: Preview Of International Signings
rugbyasia247
Posted On June 19, 2025
The very competitive Taiyo Seimei Women’s Sevens Series 2025 gets underway this weekend in Kumagaya from June 21-22, with 12 Japanese women’s sevens clubs involved. The Series will highlight the best of Japanese Women’s Sevens rugby but also a healthy injection of international talent with several HSBC SVNS and Olympians in action.
Photo Credit – by Kaori Matsumoto – The players who attended the press conference. From the left are Wakahana Okuno and Suzuha Okamoto of Tokyo Sankyu Phoenix, Yume Hirano of Nagato Blue Angels, Mio Yamanaka of PEARLS, Houko Yoshida of Hokkaido Barbarians Diana, and Chiaki Saegusa.
On June 11, a press conference was held in Tokyo before the start of the Taiyo Life Women’s Sevens Series 2025. The Series has been running since 2014, but the 2020 tournament was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Nagato Blue Angels are the two-time consecutive defending champions, and Yume Hirano, one of the Nagato Blue Angels co-captains, said, “The team is united in our quest for a third consecutive championship. I hope you can see how hungry we are to win, more so than any other team.” The side is coached by a former NZ 7s and former Thai 7s Women’s Coach Lote Raikabula.
Photo Credit – by Kaori Matsumoto – Yume Hirano, one of the Nagato Blue Angels co-captains
Mie Pearls, who were runners-up in 2024, signed Conor Hirini as Head Coach, and they have made a number of international signings, including his partner Sarah, captain of the NZ 7s.
Sakura 7s and Tokyo Sankyu Phoenix (who were 3rd last year) co-captain Okamoto Suzuha said, “We are all working hard to become series champions for the first time in three years. The team is coached by former Sakura 7s & 15s player Yumeno Noda. The team also features Wakaba Okuno (nee Hare) said, “I’m excited to be able to participate in this tournament for the first time in two years.”
Photo Credit – by Kaori Matsumoto – Wakaba Okuno – Tokyo Sankyu Phoenix – Taiyo Seimei Women’s Sevens Series 2025
Takako Yoshida captains the Hokkaido Barbarians Diana. “This is our first challenge in two years. I’m excited to see how well we can compete against other teams.”
Yokohama TKM have made several local and international talents in their squad, including 3 Fijians. Tomoka Nezuka is the younger sister of the Nezuka brothers, Seiga, who plays with the Mie Heat and Koga with the Funabashi Spears Tokyo Bay in the JRLO.
Taiyo Seimei Women’s Sevens Series 2025 Format
The series includes three legs featuring 12 teams before a Grand Final Tournament with only the top 8 teams from the three rounds based on accumulated points.
The JRFU said, “To increase the number of highly competitive matches and make the tournament more exciting, the method of determining the overall ranking will be changed from the previous tournament.
An overall ranking tournament will be held in the final round among the top 8 teams with the highest total points up to the third round to determine the series champion.
In addition, in order to increase the number of matches and promotion possibilities for teams not participating in the main tournament, a relegation match will be held in the final round to determine promotion/relegation to the following year’s tournament.”
That means that the teams who rank 9-12 after the three rounds will play the bottom placement tournament.
Photo Credit – by Kaori Matsumoto
Each pool will play a round-robin tournament, and the following points will be awarded based on the results of the matches.
- Win: 3 points
- Draw: 2 points
- Loss: 1 point
- Withdrawal: 0 points
In Rounds 1 to 3, each team will be awarded the following Series points based on their ranking.
- 1st place: 20 points
- 2nd place: 18 points
- 3rd place: 16 points
- 4th place: 14 points
- 5th place: 12 points
- 6th place: 10 points
- 7th place: 8 points
- 8th place: 6 points
- 9th place: 4 points
- 10th place: 3 points
- 11th place: 2 points
- 12th place: 1 point
Exhibition Match
On the opening day of the tournament, there will also be an exhibition match between the Samurai Sevens and JRFU Men’s Sevens Development Squad (SDS).
The Samurai side said, “In an exhibition match, Samurai Seven will take on the men’s SDS team, a candidate for the Japanese national team. This will also be a preliminary match for the Japan Sevens, the tournament to determine the best sevens player in Japan, scheduled for Sunday, July 13th.”
Taiyo Seimei Women’s Sevens Series 2025 – Leg 1 Kumagaya Pools
Taiyo Seimei Women’s Sevens Series 2025 Team Jerseys
Below are the pools for the opening leg as well as some of the key signings. We have highlighted international players purely as the information on Japanese players is harder to source in English, but we have added key names we could find.
It should be noted that players from the Sakura Sevens who competed in the HSBC SVNS 2025 Series will be involved.
In addition, the teams will all have players potentially drafted into Sakura 7s and 15s national training camps. The Sakura 15s play Spain twice in Japan in July – the first test is the same weekend and the same venue as the second tournament of the Series at Mikuni World Stadium in Kitakyushu
The full schedule and additional information from the JRFU can be found here.
Pool A
Nagato Blue Angels (1st place overall 2024 series) – Co-captain Yume Hirano (Sakura 7s Olympics 2020/2024), Ami Tanaka, Mei Ohtani (Sakura 7s, Olympics 2020/2024), Raichel Bativakalolo (Sakura 7s, Olympics 2020), Yumi Bativakalolo (Japan 15s).
International signings include Damita Betham (Aus Global Youth 7s), Jirawan Chutrakun (Thailand 7s top try scorer 2025), Pleuni Kievit (Dutch 7s & 15s), Ana Naimasi (Fiji 7s, Olympics 2020/2024, Fijiana 15s, RWC2021, Brumbies Super W), Jessica Gentle (NRLW), Janet Okelo (Kenya 7s, Olympics 2016), Fia Laikong (NZ – Super W)
Nanairo Prism Fukuoka (6th overall 2024 series) – It appears as if several Japanese players are in the squad, including Chiharu Nakamura (Japan 7s, Olympics 2024). Ireijo Chiju joins was part of the gold medal Global Youth Sevens 2024 Girls Tournament Team.
International signings include: Reapi Ulunisau (Fiji 7s, Olympics 2020/2024, Fijiana XV)
Arukas Queen Kumagaya Women’s Rugby Football Club (7th place overall 2024 series) –
Hokkaido Barbarians Diana (12th overall 2024 series) – Captained by Takako Yoshida, Chiaki Saegusa (Sakura 7s), Jennifer Nduka (Sakura 15s).
International signings include: Jazmine Felix-Hotham (NZ 7s, Olympics 2024), Emilly Lekuru (Uganda), Claudia Broomfield (NZ, Condor 7s), Danii Mafoe (Blues Super W, NZ U18 & U20).
Photo Credit – Kaori Matsumoto – Mie Pearls captained by Mio Yamanaka (Sakura 7s, Olympics 2016/2020)
Pool B
Mie PEARLS (2nd place overall in the 2024 series) – Captained by Mio Yamanaka (Sakura 7s, Olympics 2016/2020), Michiyo Suda (Otemae Gakuin University & Sakura Sevens), Mao Higuchi (Captain Nippon Sport Science University), Natsuzuki Ouchida.
International signings include: Sara Hirini (NZ 7s Captain), Talia Costa and Gabriela Lima (Brazil 7s), Olive Watherston (NZ 7s)..
Nippon Sport Science University Women’s Rugby Club (5th place overall 2024 series)
Japan Self-Defence Forces Physical Training School PTS (8th overall 2024 series)
Yokogawa Musashino Artemi-Stars (11th overall 2024 series) – One notable member is Umi Kikawa, who was captain of the U18 Women’s SDS at the Global Youth Sevens that won, beating New Zealand in the semi-finals and Australia in the finals. She was selected as one of seven in the Global Youth Sevens 2024 Girls Tournament Team. Last season, she played as part of the Challenge team and scored 12 tries.
Pool C
Tokyo Sankyu Phoenix (3rd place overall 2024 series) – Captained by Okamoto Suzuha (Sakura 7s), Wakaba Hara (Sakura 7s, Olympics 2020/2024).
International signings include: Chloe Chan (Hong Kong China), Charity Williams (Canada 7s, Olympics 2016/2020/2024).
Yokohama TKM (4th overall 2024 series) International signings include: Merenia Paraone (Chiefs Manawa in New Zealand’s Super Rugby Aupiki / ACT Brumbies), Yolaine Yengo (French 7s, Olympics 2020/2024, France 15s), Ateca Leiyamo (Fiji 7s), Roela Radiniyavuni (Fiji 7s, Olympics 2020, Fiji RWC 2021), Vutalina Naikole (Fiji RWC 2021, NRLW, Super W)
Otemae University Women’s Rugby Club Venus (9th place overall 2024 series)
Challenge Team (10th place overall 2024 series) – The team comprises JRFU Sevens Youth Academy players from high school students who have the potential to compete on a global level, and the team is made up of promising young players from teams that are unable to participate in tournaments.
Taiyo Seimei Women’s Sevens Series 2025 Tournament Schedule
- Tournament One – Kumagaya – June 21 & 22, 2025 – Venue: Kumagaya Rugby Stadium
- Tournament Two – Kitakyushu July 20 & 21, 2025 – Venue: Mikuni World Stadium
- Tournament Three – Higashi-Osaka – August 2 & 3, 2025 – Venue: Hanazono Rugby Stadium, Higashi-Osaka
- Grand Final Tournament – Sapporo – August 17, 2025 -Venue: Daiwa House Premist Dome
Both RugbyJapan365 and JustRugbyJP have been very useful resources.
Photo Credit – Tokyo Sankyu Phoenix
How To Watch Taiyo Seimei Women’s Sevens Series 2025 Tournament One – Kumagaya
All of the tournaments are free to attend, and booths will be selling merch, brochures, food and drink as well as competitions for fans.
The JRFU has confirmed that the matches will be streamed for free on JAPAN RUGBY TV
Japanese Rugby News 2025
- Emilly Lekuru Becomes First Ugandan Woman to Sign A Pro Rugby Contract – Heads To Hokkaido Barbarians Diana in Japan
- Taiyo Seimei Women’s Sevens Series 2025 – Expansion And Exciting Signings.
- Tokyo Sankyu Phoenix Coaches – Rhodes Lea & Aimee-Leigh Campbell.
- Tokyo Sankyu Phoenix Preparing For Taiyo Seimei Women’s Sevens Series 2025 – Savannah Bodman & Misaki Matsumura.
