Japan coach John Kirwan is to step down following the team's poor showing at the World Cup.
All Black to leave after fours years in charge
Japan coach John Kirwan will step down when his contract expires in December following the team's poor showing at the World Cup.
The former All Black has been in charge of the Brave Blossoms for the past four years but they finished winless at the RWC in New Zealand.
And the Japan Rugby Football Union have decided that the time was right for a change - with the country having eight years to prepare for hosting the World Cup.
"I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with Japan Rugby and will always be very proud of the improvements and achievements we have made," Kirwan said in a statement released by the JRFU.
"I will always follow the JRFU with interest and remain very grateful for the opportunity to serve Japan."
Japan had impressed in their opening RWC game against France before going down to defeat, while thet were predictably thrashed by New Zealand.
Challenge
However it was the loss to Tonga and the draw with Canada - the two games that Japan had targeted for victory - which has ultimately led to a parting of ways.
JRFU chairman Tatsuzo Yabe said: "Although his achievements since he joined the JRFU was great, it is also true that we must face the result of the RWC 2011 frankly and severely.
"There still are tons of improvements we have to make... It is our paramount challenge to review our current high performance structure thoroughly immediately."
Team captain Takashi Kikutani has praise the impact Kirwan has had on the squad during his tenure.
"It was disappointing that we came up short in the recent Rugby World Cup. However, under the leadership of John Kirwan, the Japan national team have grown in the last four years," Kikutani said.
"He was the great coach and mentor. And I believe we have been a wonderful team."
