England coach Eddie Jones has slammed the decision to cut the Sunwolves from Super Rugby.
Jones, the former Japan coach, said a Japanese team in Super Rugby was vital to the nation's test growth.
And he called on the Japan union to find an alternative.
"The purpose of the Sunwolves was to give opportunities for young Japanese players to prepare for test rugby," Jones told the Kyodo news agency.
"What Japan was missing was that opportunity for younger players to go from a good domestic Top League into a higher level of competition without being exposed to test level, and the Sunwolves provided that opportunity.