And to make sure they stay on their feet and in the tournament longer, the Japanese have secured the services of a Dunedin jiu jitsu expert to help give them a fighting edge.
Fight and Fitness director Ryan Henry will travel to Japan later this week for a 10-day training camp.
Henry's brief is to improve the team's flexibility and to provide them with the skills they need to succeed in the rugby melees.
Basically, if you are on the ground you are out of the game.
''It is about transferring jiu jitsu drills into flexibility, mobility and speed off the ground and controlling those [collisions],'' Henry said.
It is not the first time the 41-year-old has been asked to help.
He got his latest call-up from former Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph, who now coaches Japan. The pair worked together during Joseph's six-year stint with the Highlanders.
That relationship produced one Super Rugby title and now Joseph is leaning on that connection again.
Japan was the surprise package at the 2015 World Cup. The team registered three wins in pool play, including a shock 34-32 win against South Africa. But it missed out on a quarterfinal slot, something it will be hoping to change on home soil.
''This is actually my 10th year working with rugby teams. I started with the Highlanders in 2009 and am still doing bits and pieces with them now.''
It will be the first time Henry has worked with an international team and he described it as a wonderful opportunity.
''That is what is exciting for me - just getting that first international gig and it is a big gig because Japan are hosting the Rugby World Cup.
''I'm hoping it will lead to more work.''
It will be Henry's first trip to Japan. He flies into Tokyo on Monday and the training camp gets under way on Okinawa Island the following day.
''I was looking at my phone trying to learn a few words. But by the time I'd moved on to the next word I'd already forgotten the last one.''
He has not forgotten how to put a rugby team through the ringer, though. He has been planning the sessions since Christmas, so the Japanese can expect plenty of challenges.