Japanese forward Kazuki Himeno has been signed by the Highlanders to contest Super Rugby Aotearoa 2021.
The international flanker/lock, who helped Japan to last year's Rugby World Cup quarter-finals, has been released by the Toyota Verblitz club and will join his national team assistant coach, Tony Brown, in Dunedin for next year's NZ-based competition.
Himeno was part of a Verblitz pack that included former All Blacks captain Kieran Read, with former NZ coach Steve Hansen as director of rugby, before the COVID-19 pandemic ended the Japanese Top League season.
"I thought it was necessary for me to leave the environment of my comfortable Japan and play hungry from scratch," says Himeno.
"In addition, I believe that the success of Japanese people overseas will bring many things to the Japanese rugby world in the future, and I hope that you will feel the courage and excitement through my success.
"It's sad that I can't play in front of Japanese rugby fans, but when I come back, I hope I can show you how much I've grown."
The Highlanders have a strong Japanese connection, with Brown favoured to take the head coaching role vacated by Aaron Mauger this year.
He previously coached the southern side in 2017 and assisted former teammate Jamie Joseph at the World Cup, turning down a position on the new All Blacks staff to continue that relationship this year.
Previously, the Highlanders roster included halfback Fumiaki Tanaka, who became a cult hero between 2013-16.
