Fans and players headed to the Rugby World Cup in Japan are being advised to hide their ink in public places to avoid being mistaken for gangsters.
With the Rugby World Cup 2019 less than a year away, the game’s governing body has been educating teams and fans on Japanese culture.
In the East Asian country, tattoos are associated with the Yakuza – the Japanese mafia – which is why World Cup visitors have been asked to cover them up in public.
Tattoos tend to be associated with the Yakuza – the Japanese mafia – which is why people have been asked to cover up in public. Israel Folau (pictured) will have to cover up in Japan
With the Rugby World Cup 2019 less than a year away, the World Rugby has been educating teams and fans on the culture. Hurricanes star Tj Perenara (pictured) is one of many players with tattoos
‘We will make [Japanese] people aware around the facilities that players will use in the country that people with tattoos in a Rugby World Cup context are not part of the Yakuza, the Japanese mafia,’ World Rugby COO Alan Gilpin said.
The directive will not be enforced during matches, but players will have to wear long-sleeved vests in public gyms and swimming pools.
While many players sport some form of ink, especially in the Australian and New Zealand teams, they have been understanding.
‘When we raised it with the teams a year or so ago we were probably expecting a frustrated reaction from them but there hasn’t been at all,’ Mr Gilpin said.
While many players sport some form of ink, especially in the Australian and New Zealand teams, they have been understanding (pictured are people with Yakuza-related tattoos)
‘We won’t force any teams to cover up but they will want to because they want to be seen to be respecting the culture.
‘Whether it is Scotland, Ireland, Wales or Italy, who have all been there recently, they all get it.’
Players will also be expected to wear different footwear for inside and outside.
The Rugby World Cup starts September 20, 2019. The first match will see Japan face off against Russia at Tokyo Stadium.
Organisers have said the tournament has been one of the most difficult to stage with the most recent storms battering the country this month.
It has also been confirmed English star Jack Nowell (pictured) and Co will be asked to cover up their tattoos in Japan