Evans spearheaded a Toyota domination of the 22-stage asphalt rally that hosted the ultimate spherical of the WRC season.
The Welshman delivered a masterclass in changeable conditions – that ranged from excessive moist climate to snow showers – to guide dwelling Toyota team-mates Sebastien Ogier (+1m17.7s) and two-time world champion Kalle Rovanpera (+1m46.5s).
The victory marked his third of the season, alongside Croatia and Finland, because the 34-year-old secured the runner-up spot within the championship.
Evans’ success in Japan arrived precisely 12 months on from being denied a shot at securing a house win for Toyota by a ultimate day puncture.
“After all, beneath the circumstances it’s particular to win along with your team-mates facet by facet it has been mega,” Evans advised Autosport.
“It has been a tough rally and I felt a little bit of unfinished enterprise after final 12 months, so it’s good to attain a end result this fashion.
“Yeah undoubtedly [there was pressure]. I assume it was from a ending standpoint you appear to be a idiot for those who chuck it off and truthfully it might be one thing really easy to do. A minor misjudgement someplace was all it might have taken within the circumstances we had.”
Picture by: Tomasz Kaliński
Elfyn Evans, Scott Martin, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1
Evans shot to the rally lead on Friday, opening up a 26.0s benefit over Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville after successful levels two and three that had been held in horrendous moist circumstances.
Reflecting on his drives on these levels, Evans was unable to clarify his tempo.
“I do not know. I assumed I used to be going to be a minute down coming to finish of the primary one it was inconceivable to guage,” he added.
Eight-time world champion Ogier was unable to problem Evans after receiving a one-minute penalty for being six minutes late from service on Friday night time after his GR Yaris required a restore to its chassis following an affect with a barrier on stage 5.
Though, victory was his goal, Ogier says this 1-2-3 will stay lengthy in his reminiscence.
“Being a part of moments like that is particular and naturally from a private facet I got here right here to attempt to win this rally and I may suppose that I didn’t attain my goal,” Ogier advised Autosport.
“However on the finish being a part of this 1-2-3 with Akio Toyoda [Toyota chairman] right here and in entrance of all the staff, it makes it very simple to overlook that that I didn’t attain the proper goal. It’s a second I’ll bear in mind from my profession.”