The pool included hosts Japan, and previous 2015 Rugby World Cup quarter-finalists Ireland and Scotland.

Japan won all four of their matches, including surprise victories over both Ireland and Scotland, to finish top of the pool and become the first Asian nation to reach a Rugby World Cup quarter-final.

The opening match of the 2019 Rugby World Cup was played in Pool A with Japan scoring a 30–10 win over Russia.

"[7] Three days later, Kobe Misaki Stadium held another match in Pool A – this time it was Ireland, who would whitewash their opponents (Russia) in a 35–0 victory with five different players getting tries for the Irish.

[12] But after an inspection deemed the match to go ahead,[13] Japan held their nerve against a fast-finishing Scotland to take home a 28–21 victory with Kenki Fukuoka scoring two tries.