Wales losing run extends to 18 defeats after late capitulation against Japan
But Japan dominated the second half and tries from Takuro Matsunaga, Ichigo Nakakusu and Halatoa Vailea, plus nine points from the boot of Seungsin Lee, piled on more misery for Wales.
Brave Blossoms boss Eddie Jones said he had hoped for a hot day to 'run Wales off their feet' and the oppressive conditions – with the temperature above 30 degrees Celsius as well as high humidity – meant water breaks in each half and an extended interval.
A slippery ball produced countless handling errors and there was often little rhythm to a disrupted contest that took over two hours to complete.
Taulupe Faletau, Nicky Smith, Ben Thomas and Blair Murray survived from the 68-14 thrashing to England in the Six Nations as interim head coach Matt Sherratt made 11 changes.
Number eight Faletau – the fifth-most capped Welshman – made his 109th appearance but it was largely an inexperienced line-up with six starters having fewer than 10 caps.
Wales' fall from grace had left them in 12th place on World Rugby's rankings table, one spot above Japan, and it was very much a meeting between two teams in transition.
There was a worrying start to the contest as Ben Carter took a hit to the side of the head inside 30 seconds.
Carter slumped to the ground after attempting to make a tackle and there was a lengthy stoppage before the second row forward was taken away on a stretcher.
Wales' Ben Carter suffered an injury setback (David Davies/PA)
Wales immediately shrugged off that blow as Faletau exploited space profited from a line-out ploy to send Thomas over with a well-timed pass and Costelow converted.
Japan were on the backfoot and struggling to get out of their own half, but scored from their first attack after 16 minutes as winger Kippei Ishida sliced through midfield to set up Matsunaga and Lee's kick restored parity.
Wales hit the front again with a penalty try after Nakakusu, who had replaced the injured Matsunaga moments earlier, deliberately slapped the ball away as Josh Adams closed on Kieran Hardy's chip by the try line.
Nakakusu suffered further punishment with a yellow card, and Wales took advantage of their extra man after Japan had found touch from the kick-off.
Faletau broke away from a scrum going backwards and Hardy, Costelow and Johnny Williams moved the ball on for Rogers to scamper into the corner.
The tide turned in the second half as Amato Fakatava saw his effort ruled out for a Shinobu Fujiwara knock-on, but Japan were not to be denied after going through the phases.
Eddie Jones' Japan emerged victorious (David Davies/PA)
Rogers slipped off a tackle and Nakakusu dived over with Lee adding the extras and soon reducing the deficit to two points with a penalty.
Japan got their noses in front for the first time as replacement Vailea barged over and Lee's sparked celebrations that continued until the final whistle.
The two-match series will conclude in Kobe next Saturday.
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BBC News
25 minutes ago
- BBC News
Welsh rugby decline gathers pace after loss to Japan
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It meant a record 18th consecutive Test defeat, continuing a losing streak that stretches back 21 months. That is a record for a tier one nation, while Japan also recorded a first victory against tier one opposition for six years. Furthermore, Wales are now in their lowest-ever position of 14th in the world rankings having dropped below Japan and Samoa. Let this latest new low sink in. Finding new ways to lose Wales have now followed up their record 68-14 Six Nations defeat against England in March in Cardiff with only a second loss to previous failure came 12 years ago when Jones was also in charge of Japan but this victory for such an inexperienced Brave Blossoms side was more impressive, and in contrast, more humbling for 2013 defeat for Wales came when they fielded a second-choice side with 15 players away with the British and Irish years on, Wales were closer to a full-strength available squad, with only flanker Jac Morgan and scrum-half Tomos Williams initially picked for the Lions in Australia and a few players rested or Williams' injury during that tour, Morgan is the only representative left in Andy Farrell's squad to further underline how far Welsh rugby has many nations would head on a summer tour without a permanent head coach but this is what Wales and the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) have former head coach Warren Gatland having left the role in February and his successor yet to be appointed, Wales have a fresh coaching staff at the helm for just this has again taken on the interim head coach role before returning to his Cardiff day job next is backed up by Gethin Jenkins, Danny Wilson and Leigh Halfpenny, while Adam Jones and Rhys Thomas have continued their Six Nations a new coaching team has been put together, the same result emerged on the weekend. 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He also remains the best player, with his class continually shining wing Josh Adams was also prominent, Faletau continues to be Wales' leading light as he created two of the three tries for the trudged off slowly during the second half, as he, like many players, appeared to be struggling with the extreme heat, but Sherratt said the veteran forward's withdrawal was a tactical will hope he is fit next weekend because they are an inferior side without was after the Cardiff forward departed on 56 minutes, when the visitors were leading 19-7, that Japan's final-quarter flourish is not the most animated character but he leads expertly by example and his absence in the latter stages was was evident that, while Wales wilted in the extreme conditions late on, there is also a lack of experienced international leaders in the current set-up as the tourists could not stop Japan's second-half momentum. Faletau is the final remaining playing member of Wales' golden generation on the international stage and there are few figures coming through to fill the void. Welsh Rugby Union failures The players and coaches will be scrutinised following another dire defeat, with some brutal comments on social media already on the powerbrokers need to take responsibility, with Welsh rugby in freefall on and off the field. 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That is the sad reality.A stormy summer is brewing before next season - with major change required to avoid more depressing days like Wales' latest visit to Kitakyushu.
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