Japan claimed a 26-23 victory over Italy to condemn their visitors to a ninth consecutive defeat.

In stark contrast, it was the Brave Blossoms' 10th win in a row, as Eddie Jones's team continues to go from strength to strength.

The scores were level at 13-13 at half-time but New Zealand-born Male Sa'u ran in a try midway through the second half that gave Japan a 26-16 lead at the Prince Chichibu memorial ground.

Robert Barbieri crossed for Italy late on to cut the deficit to three but the visitors ran out of time.

Japan – Tries: Akihito Yamada, Male Sa'u. Conversions: Ayumu Goromaru (2). Penalties: Goromaru (4).
Italy – Tries: Penalty try, Robert Barbieri. Conversions: Luciano Orquera, Tommy Allan. Penalties: Orquera (2).

Japan – 15 Ayumu Goromaru, 14 Akihito Yamada, 13 Male Sa'u, 12 Yu Tamura, 11 Kenki Fukuoka, 10 Harumichi Tatekawa, 9 Fumiaki Tanaka, 8 Ryu Koliniasi Holani, 7 Michael Leitch (c), 6 Justin Ives, 5 Luke Thompson, 4 Shoji Ito, 3 Kensuke Hatekayama, 2 Shota Horie, 1 Masataka Mikami.
Subs: 16 Hisateru Hirashima, 17 Takeshi Kizu, 18 Hiroshi Yamashita, 19 Shinya Makabe, 20 Hitoshi Ono, 21 Hendrik Tui, 22 Atsushi Hiwasa, 23 Toshiaki Hirosi.

Italy – 15 Luke McLean, 14 Leonardo Sarto, 13 Michele Campagnaro, 12 Andrea Masi, 11 Giovambattista Venditti, 10 Luciano Orquera, 9 Tito Tebaldi, 8 Robert Barbieri, 7 Mauro Bergamasco, 6 Joshua Furno, 5 Marco Bortolami, 4 Quintin Geldenhuys, 3 Lorenzo Cittadini, 2 Leonardo Ghiraldini, 1 Alberto De Marchi.
Subs: TBC

Photos: Toru Yamanaka/AFP Photo