TOKYO – Japan Rugby League One today announced its referee panel for the 2025-26 season, comprised of six individuals with diverse playing backgrounds and varying levels of officiating experiance. The selections signal a commitment too developing both seasoned and emerging talent within the league’s officiating ranks.
The panel includes Rikito Nobuhara (born november 6,2006,Kyoto Seisho),a current Otemon Gakuin University student and first-time referee; Tetsuya hirakawa (born March 30,1992,Yokkaichi agriculture → Ryukei University) with 43 games refereed; Kenki Furuse (born January 25,2002,Higashi Fukuoka → Waseda University) who has officiated 60 games; Motonori Mizutani (born November 19,1990,Asahigaoka → Hiroshima University) with 22 games under his belt; Yusaku Murata (born February 12,1998,Kumamoto Kita → Fuku University → Fuku University Graduate School),also a first-time referee; and Koki Yamauchi (born October 6,1995,Yawata → Nishi kyushu University) who has refereed 38 games.
Hirakawa’s playing career included positions as a WTB and FB, while Furuse played HO, Mizutani as FL, and Murata and Yamauchi both as CTBs. Furuse is currently employed by the japan Rugby Football Association, as is Yamauchi. Mizutani teaches at Aichi Prefectural Nagakute High School, and Hirakawa works at Medical System Network Co., Ltd. Murata is affiliated with Fukuoka University. The “number of games refereed” statistic reflects combined experience in both the Japan Rugby Top League and League One.
