Japanese referee Katsuki Furuse, Digi Mart USA News: A 24-year-old Japanese referee could make a name for himself on Top 14 pitches in the coming years. Katsuki Furuse will serve as an assistant referee at the France versus Fiji match on Saturday at 9:10 p.m., pursuing a specific dream of refereeing in the French championship.
Furuse, who discovered rugby at age 13, used YouTube to learn the subtleties of refereeing. He will work alongside English referee Karl Dickson, marking a new step in his international career.
He has already officiated in France through a cooperation program between World Rugby, the French Rugby Federation and the National Rugby League, including Pro D2 matches and time spent around the Top 14.
Originally from Onojo in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan, Furuse did not initially plan a career in rugby. He discovered the oval ball at 13 before a teacher suggested he consider refereeing.
He told L’Équipe how it began: “One of my teachers advised me to try refereeing, but I was only sixteen.”
Supported by his federation, which includes him in its training program, Furuse continues his studies at Waseda University in Tokyo. Because his playing experience was limited, he relied on match videos to understand rugby’s demands.
“I did not have much experience as a player, so I tried to watch as many matches as possible, to understand the game and what the players have in mind, their intentions.”
After an experience in New Zealand in 2023, his performances gradually earned him international attention. In October 2025 he officiated Pro D2 matches between Vannes and Oyonnax, and then Grenoble and Carcassonne.
He also assisted Pierre Brousset as assistant referee at Stade Toulousain’s 56-13 win over Bordeaux-Bègles, and returned in January 2026 to referee Agen versus Nevers (53-7).
Mathieu Raynal, head of French professional refereeing, explained how Furuse was identified: “It is a small world, we all know the referees in the making. For them, the usual detection process goes through the U20 World Cup.
Katsuki followed that path.” At the 2025 U20 World Cup, Furuse drew attention for an unusual situation: he phoned his video assistant during a match between South Africa and Australia.
Furuse favors refereeing that keeps the game flowing while preserving fairness and player safety. “I do not like it when the game is slow, and I want the players to be in motion as often as possible.
We need to find a balance. But if we whistle every infringement, there will be far too many stoppages.”
His positioning and communication have been appreciated on French pitches. Raynal stresses that consistency of decisions is a fundamental quality to develop with experience.
“For a referee, the essential thing is to work on the consistency of decisions, to project calm and to referee identically for each team. These are things we work on constantly.
It takes years.”
Furuse has also noted differences between rugby in Japan and in French championships. The speed of ball release and the intensity of contests at the ruck require him to adapt.
“The big difference is that the game is much faster. The ball is released more quickly, but every ruck is fiercely contested.
I also have to change my focus when I am in France, and pay very close attention to clear-outs so the players always feel safe.”
At only 24, Furuse already has promising international experience. Raynal values his calm and composure, qualities especially important for a referee under pressure.
“We will have to watch Katsuki over the next few years. He has qualities, but he is only 24.
And having this composure and calm at that age is a sign there is potential. But the higher he rises, the greater the echo chamber will be.”
While he works toward his dream of refereeing in the Top 14, Furuse will continue his development on Saturday night, carrying the assistant referee flag, at France versus Fiji.
