Rally Japan is expected to make its inaugural debut on the Intercontinental Rally Challenge calendar in 2010.

Discussions are taking place with the local organisers to create a permanent IRC event in this country from next season onwards.

Japan was due to have been the 11th round of this year's IRC series from October 22-24, but instead the Rally Hokkaido, a round of the Japanese Rally Championship held from July 11-12, will form part of the IRC Supporter Events programme.