Overview
- Sebastien Ogier ended Saturday 6.5 seconds ahead of Elfyn Evans after winning the day's final three stages to blunt Evans' earlier charge.
- Evans had cut the deficit from 10.2 seconds to as little as 1.4 seconds with two stage wins, underscoring how bonus points on Sunday could prove decisive.
- Home driver Takamoto Katsuta hit water-filled barriers on Mt. Kasagi, lost power steering and, after a late penalty for repairs, dropped to 20th.
- Hyundai's Adrien Fourmaux moved into third with stage wins, finishing the leg 23.6 seconds off the lead and 17.1 behind Evans, as teammate Ott Tänak remained off the pace.
- After Friday's heavy time loss from barrier damage, Kalle Rovanperä recovered to seventh to keep his points bid alive, while Thierry Neuville retired with a driveshaft failure.