The 26 stage gravel rally took place on 9 – 12 September 2010 and was based in the city of Sapporo.

[1] Sébastien Ogier took the second WRC victory of his career, capitalising on a broken damper for Petter Solberg which dropped him out of the lead on the final morning of the rally.

[2] Ogier also cut into teammate Sébastien Loeb's championship lead, reducing it to 43 points before their home event in France.

Prior to the rally, depending on results, Sébastien Loeb could have clinched his seventh consecutive world title with three events to spare.

Petter Solberg and Dani Sordo were still in mathematical contention but would have to finish in the top two placings in Japan, with Loeb failing to score, to stay in contention.