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09.11.2023
Last Updated: 10 november 2025
The Japan Rally Japan is a World Rally Championship round held in Japan. Event is known for its challenging asphalt roads, which are laid out in the mountainous terrain of Aichi and Gifu prefectures. The round has been a regular part of the WRC calendar, with breaks, since 2004.
Rally Japan 2026
Rally Japan will return to the World Rally Championship (WRC) calendar in 2026 as the seventh round, taking place from May 28 to 31. The main location will once again be the city of Toyota in Aichi Prefecture, and the races will take place on asphalt roads in the mountains of Aichi and Gifu. The main change is the move of the round from its traditional November location to May, which is intended to balance the season and improve conditions for leading drivers. This event marks the beginning of a new three-year contract, which guarantees Japan will host the WRC until 2028.
Participants
The rally is expected to feature leading teams and drivers from the World Rally Championship. Expected participants include:
- Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT: Kalle Rovanperä, Elfyn Evans, Takamoto Katsuta, and Sami Pajari.
- Hyundai Shell Mobis WRT: Thierry Neuville, Ott Tänak, and Adrien Fourmaux.
Rally Japan is known for its challenging mountain roads and picturesque scenery, making it one of the most anticipated events of the season.
History
The first Rally Japan was organized in 1973. This event was initiated by the Japanese car manufacturer Toyota. Previously, Rally Japan had the name “Rally Hokaido”. It was an event held as part of the championship of the Asia-Pacific region. In 2004, the Japanese rally stage was included in the schedule of the World Rally Championship.
During its history of motor racing, Japanese rally has changed not only its name, but also its venue.
Interesting facts
- Japanese rally is considered one of the most challenging stages of the World Rally Championship.
- In 2019, Rally Japan was cancelled due to a natural disaster.
Winners of recent years
In the last three years, the winners of Rally were the following athletes:
| Year | Winner | Car |
| 2023 | Sebastien Ogier (France) | Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT |
| 2024 | Elfyn Evans (Great Britain) | Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 |
| 2023 | Elfyn Evans (Great Britain) | Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 |
All of these athletes have previously won other rallies.
2027 Rally Japan
At the moment there is no detailed information about the dates and stages of the next World Rally Championship.
Keep an eye on the dates of WRC rounds and other events in our Sporting Events Calendar.
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