Yoshitaka Yazaki (born 12 May 2004) is a Japanese rugby union player. He plays for Waseda University and for the Japan national team.[1]
He plays for Waseda University playing in the Japan University Rugby Championship.[2]
He was named in the Japan under-19 squad for their tour of Ireland going on to score in the first test against Ireland under-19.[3][4][5] He went on to be called up to the Japan under-20 squad, making his debut against New Zealand Universities.[6] He went on to start in all of Japan under-20s games in the 2023 World Rugby U20 Championship.[7]
He featured in all of Japan XV games in the World Rugby Pacific Challenge, scoring a try against Manuma Samoa and Tonga A, going to score a brace against the Fiji Warriors. He played against the Māori All Blacks twice in 2024, starting at fullback in both matches he scored a penalty in the second match.[8] His impressive performances led him to being called up to the senior Japan squad by Eddie Jones.
He made his debut for the senior Japan side in their first match of 2024, starting at fullback in a 17–52 loss against England.[9][10]