Japan's top rugby competition bucks trends, continues to grow as the game faces headwinds elsewhere

As professional rugby teams and tournaments around the world contend with tough financial headwinds, Japan continues to buck the trend with historic growth in teams and crowds. The Japan Rugby League One will add three new clubs next season, growing to 26 teams over three divisions. The Secom Rugguts, based in Saitama, Yakult Levins, based in Toda, and LeRIRO Fukuoka, based in Ukiha City, will join the third division. The first division will have 12 teams, the second division will have eight and there'll be six in the third division.