Brave Blossoms extend Wales losing streak to 18 with 24-19 win
First-half tries from Ben Thomas, Tom Rogers and a penalty try looked to have put Wales in control in hot and humid Kitakyushu until Japan scored twice in the second half to snatch the win.
"We lost out to them in the first half but our DNA is to play high-tempo rugby," said Japan flyhalf Seungsin Lee.
"We haven't been able to beat any of the top 10 teams in the world for a few years now so we're happy. More than anything, it gives us confidence."
Wales' last victory came against Georgia at the World Cup in October 2023 and its losing streak is a record for a Tier One country in the professional era.
Wales' previous match had ended in a humiliating 68-14 thrashing by England in Cardiff during the Six Nations.
With the temperature hitting a steamy 31 degrees Celsius at kickoff, ball handling was difficult.
Wales was dealt an immediate blow when Ben Carter went down in the first minute following a heavy head-first collision.
The 24-year-old, who was returning to the team after missing the Six Nations through injury, lay prone on the ground for several minutes before being stretchered off and replaced by James Ratti.
Wales opened the scoring in the fourth minute, with Thomas going over after Taulupe Faletau had punched a hole in the Japanese defense from a line-out.
Japan fought its way back into the game and leveled when Takuro Matsunaga finished off a flowing move with a try in the 16th minute.
Matsunaga went off injured soon after and was replaced by debutant Ichigo Nakakusu, one of six uncapped players on the Japanese bench.
Nakakusu was given a harsh introduction to international rugby when he gave away a penalty try just minutes after coming on, swatting the ball away from Josh Adams with the Wales winger in a try-scoring position.
Nakakusu was also sin-binned for his troubles and Wales took advantage of a temporary numerical advantage when Rogers ran in a third try.
The Brave Blossoms were denied a try for a knock-on early in the second half but Nakakusu crossed the line in the 59th minute to bring the home team right back into it.
Lee kicked a penalty to close the gap to just two points before debutant substitute Halatoa Vailea put Japan in front with nine minutes to go.
"We managed to bend the game to our tempo and attack them more," Lee said of Japan's comeback.
"At our training camp we have been practicing for the last 10 minutes of a game when it's tough and we want to show our passing game.
"We're happy because this is the result we were looking for."
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