Drunk Japan prop hit by car after passing out in road

Cape Town - Japan prop Takuma Asahara has missed the team's training camp after being hit by a car after he fell asleep on the road after one too many drinks, according to the Stuff.co.nz website.

The 31-year-old was drunk and lying in the street in the Tokyo suburb of Fuchu at around 02:20 last Sunday when a man got into his car and pulled away, pinning Asahara beneath his vehicle, according to a report in the Japan Times.

Some of Asahara's team-mates, including Japan captain and former Chiefs player Michael Leitch, had to lift the car up and pull Asahara to safety.

Police said Asahara, who has played for the Sunwolves in Super Rugby since 2016 and represented the national team since 2013, only suffered minor injuries.

The Japan Rugby Football Union, which will host next year's Rugby World Cup, announced that Asahara wouldn't be attending the ongoing national squad's training camp in Wakayama, citing an unspecified injury.

The team apologised on Asahara's behalf, issuing a statement that read: "We are extremely sorry that we have caused trouble to various people including the driver. We will ensure that such an incident will not happen again."

Japan are preparing to host a World XV on October 26 and play the All Blacks in Chofu a week later. They then tour Europe for Tests against England and Russia.