**Welsh Rugby Stars Given Heartfelt Welcome by Japanese Pupils Singing National Anthem**
In a touching display of international camaraderie, more than 100 Japanese schoolchildren delivered a moving rendition of the Welsh national anthem, *Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau*, to members of the Wales rugby team during a recent visit to Kitakyushu. The event, held at Shinozaki Junior High School, formed part of a wider engagement initiative in the city ahead of the first Test at Mikuni World Stadium.
Wales captain Dewi Lake, alongside fellow players Tommy Reffell and Rhodri Williams, were warmly greeted by the students, whose dedication to learning and performing the anthem in fluent Welsh captured the spirit of kinship that has flourished between Kitakyushu and Welsh rugby fans. The city, located in Japan’s Fukuoka Prefecture, previously hosted the Welsh squad during the 2019 Rugby World Cup and has since developed a deep-rooted affinity for the team.
The continuing bond between Kitakyushu and Welsh rugby is clearly alive, as was demonstrated not only by the enthusiastic welcome received by the players last week but also by the efforts made by local children to honour their visitors. Several members of the Welsh Rugby Union, including former internationals Rhys Williams and Siwan Lillicrap, were present to witness the event, which many described as heartfelt and unforgettable.
Rhys Williams, now serving as the WRU’s head of commercial, expressed his amazement at the pupils’ performance. “It was incredible to hear more than 100 children singing our national anthem in Welsh after they had been practising every day for a long time,” he said, adding that it truly felt as if a small piece of Wales was present in Japan. Williams reflected on the legacy forged during the 2019 tournament and emphasised the significance of returning to Kitakyushu for the first time since then.
During their visit, the Welsh stars participated in rugby drills with the students, sharing a hands-on experience that reinforced the personal connections between the visitors and their Japanese hosts. As tokens of appreciation, each pupil received a Wales-branded hat, and the school was presented with a signed Welsh rugby jersey—symbols likely to be treasured for years.
Further highlighting the spirit of friendship, the school also gifted the Welsh delegation with a decorative piece showcasing the Japanese kanji for “kokoro” (meaning “heart”) alongside the Welsh equivalent, “calon,” celebrating both linguistic and cultural ties. Williams shared his belief that local support for the forthcoming Test match would be overwhelmingly in Wales’ favour, noting that the city’s enthusiasm appears undiminished.
Assistant coach T. Rhys Thomas echoed this optimism, remarking on the palpable appreciation felt by the squad for the support shown by Kitakyushu. He commented that both players and staff were deeply grateful, and he hoped this shared goodwill would help foster a memorable atmosphere during the impending fixture.
For some members of the Welsh team, this return to Kitakyushu was particularly poignant. Number 8 Aaron Wainwright, one of a handful who also trained here during the 2019 World Cup, spoke warmly of seeing familiar faces and reflecting on the impact of that prior visit. “It’s good to come back and take more in than maybe I did in 2019,” Wainwright observed, recalling the profound effect of the local enthusiasm at that time.
Since arriving in the city, players have been regularly approached by both Welsh and Japanese supporters eager for autographs and photographs—a testament to the lasting legacy established six years ago. Those personal connections, built during packed training sessions and now renewed, appear to have grown even stronger, with fans on the streets and in the stands.
Such scenes underline not only the global nature of rugby but also the way cultural exchanges can leave a lasting impression on those involved. As Wales prepares for their upcoming matches in Japan, the team does so bolstered by not only the support of their own fans, but also by the heartfelt hospitality of a city thousands of miles from home—yet firmly allied in the spirit of sport and friendship.