About Toshiaki Hirose
Born 1981. Toshiaki Hirose is a Japanese rugby union player.
is Japanese former rugby union player who played as a wing or fly half, and captained the national team between 2012 and 2013.
After becoming a regular starter for Toshiba Brave Lupus in the Top League, Hirose made his debut for Japan in 2007 against Hong Kong at fly-half scoring two tries, but never featured again under coach John Kirwan. He continued to be a key player at domestic level though, captaining Toshiba Brave Lupus to back to back Top League victories in 2009 and 2010.
In 2012, five years after his debut, he was recalled and named captain of the Japan national rugby union team by new coach, Eddie Jones. He had by now converted from fly-half to wing, and later that year led them to their first ever away wins in Europe against and . He was also on the receiving end of a rant by Jones after a loss to the French Barbarians in June.
Hirose continued as captain in 2013, leading Japan to their first ever victory over , but was dropped in 2014 with his place coming under increasing pressure from new caps Akihito Yamada and Kotaro Matsushima, and Jones citing a lack of pace. From there onwards he became a bit part player at international level with his remaining caps all coming off the bench as a utility player who could cover both fly-half and wing.
He was retained for the 2015 Rugby World Cup, with his leadership skills praised by Jones, but was the only player in the 31 man squad not to make the field in the tournament, and following a final season with Toshiba Brave Lupus decided to retire.
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Important facts
People in Toshiaki Hirose's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Toshiaki Hirose's
Frequently asked questions
Who is Toshiaki Hirose?
Japanese rugby union footballer
When was Toshiaki Hirose born?
Toshiaki Hirose was born on 17 October 1981 in Osaka.
What is Toshiaki Hirose's occupation?
Toshiaki Hirose is a rugby union player.
What nationality is Toshiaki Hirose?
Toshiaki Hirose is Japanese.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Toshiaki Hirose. https://biography.guide/toshiaki-hirose/
MLA: "Toshiaki Hirose." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/toshiaki-hirose/.
Chicago: "Toshiaki Hirose." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/toshiaki-hirose/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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