To the dismay of the crowd in Yokohama International Stadium the Japanese quartet, who had appeared on course for victory, misjudged their baton exchange between third-leg runner Yuki Koike and Yoshihide Kiryu.

The latter, twisting back, performed a major piece of juggling before retaining the baton and running on, but  Japan were subsequently disqualified after coming home third behind the United States and China.

All is not lost for Japan's iconic relay runners, however.

There are 16 spaces available for each relay event at the World Championships and for the 4x100m and 4x400m, 10 of those spots will be given to the top teams at the World Relays. 

The next six spots will be awarded based on world lists at the end of the qualifying period – September 6.

Japan have to ensure they post a fast enough time this season to be ranked high enough to get one of those six remaining spots.

World champions Britain, whose female 4x100m team-mates had dropped the baton in their earlier qualifying heat, made no mistakes as they posted the fastest 4x100m time run so far this season, 38.11sec, to head qualifiers for tomorrow’s final.

The British quartet included three of the team which beat the United States in London two years ago – Chijindu Ujah, Adam Gemili and anchor leg runner Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake – with former world junior champion Harry Aikines-Aryeetey replacing Danny Talbot.

The United States won the first-ever 2x2x400m event to be staged at an IAAF event as the combination of 800m specialist Donovan Brazier and Ce’Aira Brown taking it in turns to run two single laps each, clocked 3min 36.92sec.

Australia, represented by Catriona Bisset and Joshua Ralph, were second in 3:37.61 with bronze going to the home pair of Ayono Shiomi and Allon Clay, who clocked 3:38.36.

Early leaders Kenya, represented by Collins Kipruto and Eglay Nalyanya, were disqualified.

Lokonyen Nathike and James Chiengjiek of the Athlete Refugee Team were seventh in 4:08.80.

The United States also claimed the first mixed shuttle hurdles relay to be staged in an IAAF event.

With national indoor champion Sharika Nelvis making a difference on the third leg, Olympic and world finalist Devon Allen brought it home, clocking 54.96sec to finish ahead of Japan, who clocked 55.59.

Australia were disqualified  for a false start and Jamaica did not start.

The United States quartet of Mikiah Brisco, Ashley Henderson, Dezerea Bryant and Aleia Hobbs finished top qualifiers for tomorrow’s women’s 4x100m final in 42.51sec, the fastest run in the world so far.

Germany, surprise winners of this event in 2017, were second on 43.03, ahead of Brazil, who clocked 43.07, and Jamaica who recorded 43.08.

The Jamaican quartet comprised 34-year-old Beijing 2008 individual silver medallist Sherone Simpson, Natasha Morrison, Shashalee Forbes and Jonielle Smith.

Britain and France failed to qualify after dropping the baton in their heat, which was won by Denmark in a national record of 43.90.

That was a medal opportunity lost for the British quartet of Kristal Awuah, Desiree Henry, Ashleigh Nelson and Daryl Neita.

The United States men topped qualifying for tomorrow’s 4x400m final, clocking 3min 02.06sec, with Trinidad and Tobago second in 3:02.49.

Host nation Japan were third on 3:02.55. just ahead of Jamaica, who clocked 3:02.67.

The US women also go into tomorrow’s 4x400m as fastest qualifiers, having recorded 3:25.72 to head Poland, who clocked 3:28.05, and Britain, who recorded 3:28.31.