Loosehead props Yota Kamimori and Kazuki Kato have arrived in Wellington to renew their relationship with Lions coach Alando Soakai.
Soakai played and coached the Kubota side and took them to their first Japan League One competition title in 2022-23.
He said, "Kami and Kazuki are players I've coached before, and they're great men on and off the field. They're both men who want to test themselves, and they can get the job done for us."
The pair will compete with local talent for places in the NPC side, and the Centurions squad.
"We want winning footy first and foremost. We want the best from the players who are available to us, and we're fortunate that we can find most of that here in our backyard."
Soakai said his call-up of the two players reflected the growth in the Japanese game.
"The level of rugby in Japan has picked up in recent years. We're seeing a lot of top-quality coaches and players moving over and adding depth and wealth of experience to the Japanese competition."
Kato said they were thankful for the opportunity to try for a place in Wellington's side while Kamimori said, "We are excited to play under coach Soakai again. We can't wait to receive the coaching and guidance that he gave us during his time at the Kubota Spears."
The pair will also reunite with former All Blacks hooker Dane Coles who played for Kubota during the 2023-24 season.