I must admit that I was never a fan of this event but FIA had to include it because of Toyota World Rally team and their influence.

After all Toyota is a Japanese team and also 2018 WRC manufacturer Champions.

The problem with those long distance events is the small number of entries because WRC car can drive only works drivers and maybe a few privateers. And the other problem is that Subaru and Mitsubishi don't have cars that can complete in the FIA Championships these days. Their days are gone now.

In today's video you can see how does it look like Japan event and the sort of surface there.

photo and video from WRC and youtube