* At the first team BBQ  for the year, Ikuo Fukuda won the place kicking comp, and doubled his monthly spending money. Blake is still crying about it.

* Daisuke Ikegami & Ikuo Fukuda's close friendship is on the rocks after Daisuke got himself a new girlfriend.  No more sento baths together for the boys I guess.

* Richard O'Shea & girlfriend Hitomi got engaged on May 30th.

* Jesse Takahashi, who has made a comeback to the game after a long time out through a bungled ankle operation,  got married to his long term girlfriend Sachiko on the 13th June.

* Comings and Goings - Big Hawaiin Mark Scott left Tokyo for Vietnam where he is going to set up shop as a scuba diving instructor.

*Winger James Mitchell returned to Scotland recently after a short stint in Japan and just a handful of games with the Gaijin.

*Stephen Dods also returned to New Zealand after coaching at Canon Japan and a handful of games for the Gaijin. His departure, along with Mark Scott's,  lowers the average age of the Gaijin quite drastically (both men were 45!)

*South African halfback Rory Brown will left these shores in early June after a 2 year stint in Japan. He and his wife Joanne are off to Eucador to teach at an American School.

Injury report:

*Tomo Togo has been put out of action for 5 months after one of his own players landed on him, fracturing his shoulder.

*Apisai Bati was seen in the recent friendly after a month out with a hip problem. The 40 year old was still full of running and scored a try.

* Riki Pitter has been missing in action after dislocating his finger. The French have a lower pain threshold!!