Japan say they have opened talks with Six Nations bosses about joining world rugby's greatest annual competition.
The Blossoms have also begun negotiations about a link-up with the Rugby Championship, which they say is the preferred option.
However, the possibility of turning the Six Nations into the Seven Nations is also on the cards amid top-level discussions.
Japan have gone backwards since their thrilling exploits at their own World Cup in 2019, Jamie Joseph's side winning just one of their six Tests in 2020 and Covid-19 restricting the number of matches they were ale to play.
They are eyeing a regular tie-up in a tier one competition, whether the Six Nations or in joining New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and Argentina in an expanded Rugby Championship.
There has also been talk about the world champion Springboks leaving that tournament and tangling regularly with England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, France and Italy in a revamped Six Nations.
Japan Rugby Football Union chairman and chief executive Kensuke Iwabuchi outlined his plans on the country's official website, when he name-checked the Six Nations.
"For our national teams to have not played for the best part of two years has had a huge impact," he said.
"We definitely need to be involved in regular international competition, otherwise we cannot expect to maintain consistently strong sides.
"Europe has the Six Nations and the southern hemisphere have the Rugby Championship.
"We're in discussions with the two competitions, but while Japan is technically in the northern hemisphere, from a time-zone perspective we’re closer to Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific nations, so it probably makes sense to connect with their competitions."
Japanese team the Sunwolves previously played against the cream of New Zealand, Australia and South Africa in Super Rugby.
Addressing talk in the autumn about South Africa coming on board, Six Nations chief executive Ben Morel responded: "The Six Nations has added to and reduced its number of teams in very few moments during its 140 years, so it's something that we'd be very cautious of doing."
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