The Japanese got off to a flying start as opening hitter Misato Kawano smashed a home run off the third delivery from starting US pitcher Aimee Creger, and there was more to come from the Japanese despite a change in pitcher in the inning as Misa Okubo and Yukiyo Mine made it home to make it 3-0.

But the US came straight back at the Japanese despite the threat of Olympic gold medallist Ueno, who is widely considered as one of the most fearsome pitchers in the game.

Opener Michelle Moultrie got the ball rolling with a single, and was joined on the bases by Raven Chavanne and Lauren Gibson, who were on second and first respectively when Valerie Arioto's single saw Moultrie home for the run with all bases loaded, although Ueno extinguished the potential situation by striking out the next two batters.

Replacement pitcher Cheridan Hawkins shut the Japanese out in their second inning and the US fightback looked imminent when Rhea Taylor capitalised on a fielding error to make it to second base, before making it home after Ueno fumbled the hit from Chavanne to make it 3-2.

Rhea Taylor spurred on the US comeback after capitalising on a fielding error, but it was not to be for the Americans

But their hopes were dashed when Japan took three runs in the fourth inning off the pitching of Hawkins and Sara Nevis, with Sonoka Kuniyoshi, Nozomi Shimasaki and Okubo once more scoring to put their team in the driving seat at 6-2.

There was another fightback from the Americans, however, as Gibson managed to make first base in the bottom of the fifth inning, the first player in nine attempts to do so, and next in bat Amanda Chidesten hit a two-run home run to make it 6-4 and ensure a nervy finish for the Japanese.

But they eased the pressure at the top of the sixth innings as Rie Nagayoshi came home to score on a groundout, and the US had no reply, despite the introduction of two pinch hitters in the sixth in an attempt to salvage a result.

US head coach Ken Eriksen had high praise for Ueno, and also saw encouragement in his team's performance on the night.

"We responded really well against one of, if not the, best pitcher in the world," he said.

"We weren't overmatched.

"Every time they scored a run we responded offensively.

"We just ran out of time tonight, and it ended up that they had more points at the end of the game than we did."

Arioto added: "We had a lot of hits tonight.

"We learned a lot about the Japanese team, a lot of the girls haven't seen them at all, so we learned a lot about their game."

This was Japan's second victory of the day, following on from their earlier 4-0 shutout win over Puerto Rico, which was followed by a fifth successive defeat for Puerto Rico as they were defeated 6-2 by Australia.

The impressive Canadian side continued their fine form at this World Cup, defeating Australia 2-0 in the third game of the day, with Heather Ebert and Meghan Rumpf making it home to secure the win.

The US will be back in action here on the last day tomorrow against Puerto Rico, before the final games take place, including the showpiece final.

The US versus Puerto Rico match at will be shown live on ESPN in 140 territories worldwide, while the final will be broadcast live on ESPN2.

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