The 66-year-old has also been forced to take a cut on his reported £650,000 salary during his second spell in charge of the Brave Blossoms. The incidents took place when Jones, who was dismissed by England in late 2022, aimed verbal abuse at officials while overseeing Japan under-23s’ tour of Australia last month. A statement from the Japanese Rugby Football Union read: “The Japan Rugby Football Union hereby announces that disciplinary measures will be taken against Eddie Jones, head coach of the Japan men’s national team in accordance with the JRFU’s Ethics and Disciplinary Regulations.
“These measures relate to incidences of verbal abuse directed at local match officials during the Japan U23 national team tour of Australia, which took place between April 1 to 15, 2026.
“In addition to the above disciplinary measures, in light of the seriousness of this matter, the JRFU has already decided, based on the contract with him, to impose a salary reduction on him and to suspend him from his duties as head coach of the Japan national team for six weeks (from April 24 to June 5), and Eddie Jones accepted this decision.”
As a consequence of his suspension, Jones will miss four fixtures as Japan head coach. A ‘Japan Select’ team is scheduled to face a ‘Hong Kong China Select’ team in consecutive matches at the end of May.
A Japan XV will then take on the Maori All Blacks on June 27 before the Brave Blossoms are set to host Italy in Tokyo on July 4. Jones will play no part in any of these fixtures, however.
Speaking on the disciplinary matter, the former Red Rose head coach said: “I accept the disciplinary action of the JRFU relating to the U23 Japan national team tour of Australia. Some inappropriate remarks that I made caused discomfort to local match officials and other related parties.
“I would like to offer my sincere apologies to everyone involved. I deeply regret my behaviour and words and will make every effort to ensure that this doesn’t happen again.”
The extent of Jones’ pay reduction remains unclear, though it is the absence from team duties over the coming months that will prove most costly for Japan. This ban arrives just over a year before the 2027 Rugby World Cup is staged in the Australian’s home nation.
Japan will feature in Pool E alongside France, Samoa and the United States. They will be eager to reach the knockout stages of a World Cup for only the second time in their history, having achieved that feat for the first time back in 2019.
France will be firm favourites to top Pool E given they are among the leading contenders to lift the World Cup title. However, Japan will be hopeful of pipping either Samoa or the United States to the second qualifying berth.