Joseph last coached a team when the Highlanders lost to the Lions at the end of July.
He now will have his first game as the coach of the Japanese national side when it takes on Argentina in Tokyo tonight. The match kicks off at 6.30pm (NZ time).He is being assisted by Highlanders head coach Tony Brown, who is with the side for the November internationals.
After next season with the Highlanders, Brown will link up with Joseph to help coach Japan. The duo will also be joined by Otago assistant coach Ben Herring and strength and conditioning coach Simon Jones, who has worked with the Highlanders and netball team the Southern Steel.
Joseph has named 13 uncapped players in the 23-strong team to take on Argentina. Many of the players who played for Japan at the World Cup last year have not been selected as Joseph looks to blood some new ones.
The Japanese side will be captained by former Otago hooker Shota Horie and former Highlander and Otago halfback Fumiaki Tanaka will start for the side. Argentina has named a strong side and will give the Japanese side a real test.
After the game, Japan will head to Europe, where it has tests against Wales, Georgia and Fiji.
The match tonight will be shown on the Rugby Channel on Sky Television.
