Former Southern Steel netball strength and conditioning coach Simon Jones (34) has joined the Japanese union until the next World Cup in 2019 Fairfax Media reported.
Jones is an experienced strength and conditioning coach who has joined the Japanese union through until 2019 when it will host the World Cup.
Jones is believed to have been lured by Joseph, who became the side's head coach earlier this year after six years with the Highlanders. New Highlanders coach Tony Brown will also join the Japan side after the end of next year's Super rugby competition.
During the first two years of his contract, Jones will also work with the Sunwolves Super rugby team, before turning to concentrate specifically on the Japan team in 2018.
Jones had been the South Island's lead strength and conditioning manager for High Performance Sport New Zealand.
Before that, he had worked alongside the Highlanders, Southland and New Zealand under-20 rugby teams, as well as the Southern Steel.
Meanwhile, Joseph has named his first 36-man squad to attend a three-day camp before the November tests.
Sixteen uncapped players were chosen, as was Highlanders halfback Fumiaki Tanaka. Only 16 of the players that caused shockwaves at last year's World Cup were named, with 10 from that team being unavailable due to retirement or personal reasons.
Michael Leitch and Ayumu Goromaru were the most notable names missing.
Japan will play Argentina, Georgia, Wales and Fiji on its tour which begins on November 5.
