Rob Kearney claims a high ball deep in Japan territory. The hosts are fighting a rearguard action again...

But the ball has drifted forward as Conor Murray attempts to shift the ball wide to get outside a suffocating Japan defence.

Twelve minutes for Japan to hold out.

Ireland need a try or two penalties to take the lead...

Superb play from Tadhg Beirne!

Just on from Ian Henderson, the second row steals the ball and Ireland attack...

Secure ball for Japan off the line-out on halfway.

And this is canny from the hosts. Keeping the ball locked in and sapping the time and energy from Ireland.

Japan are defending manfully. Bodies on the line, players taking care not to stray over the offside line...

And they have the turnover!

James Ryan kept off the floor by Kazuki Himeno and Asaeli Ai Valu holds his arms aloft as Angus Gardner's arm goes upright to indicate the penalty.

That change has brought some composure to the tiller.

Ireland working though the phases more effectively and are up to within 15m.

Japan make a change as well, with veteran Luke Thompson replaced by Wimpie van der Walt.

Joe Schmidt plays his hand off the bench, hoping to turn up a match-winning joker.

Joey Carbery is on in place of Jack Carty at 10.

Dennis Hickie
Former Irish wing Denis Hickie on BBC Radio 5 Live

Memories of the last World Cup and this could be a tournament-defining moment for them.

A fantastic try, lovely slight of hand from Nakamura - the Irish defence sucked in, putting the substitute into the corner for a great try.

There is plenty of time left in the game. It is less about the score and more about the current state of play from the Irish at the minute.

It is a fair reflection of Japan's dominance in this half.

Chris Farrell runs into CJ Stander. Offside from the scrum and Japan will have the put-in 20m out.

Michael Morrow
BBC Sport NI at the Shizuoka Stadium Ecopa

Japan are knocking on the door in a big way, and the crowd are going nuts with every yard gained.

They say defending is much harder than attacking and at the moment Ireland can't keep the ball in hand long enough to release the pressure valve.

Their set-piece was functioning well at the start of this game, but it's wobbling now and Japan smell blood.

This is going to the wire, isn't it?

Fair to say Japan's fans are loving their team's much-improved performance in the second half.

Image source, Reuters

Japan are making big dents in the Ireland defence. Wave after wave of attack, ambition aplenty, into the green 22m.

But Michael Leitch knocks on as the line beckons...

Rhys Ruddock is on in the Ireland back row.

Japan have brought on the electric Kenki Fukuoka.

Dennis Hickie
Former Irish wing Denis Hickie on BBC Radio 5 Live

This sustained period from Japan really came from the undercooked throw by Rory Best.

Ireland went from an attacking position to a period of three of four minutes where the ball was kicked away, some poor kicks from Ireland, and the ball changed hands.

Yu Tamura, straining for distance, tugs his penalty right.

Not yet. But this game is not over by a long shot.

Penalty to Japan just over halfway.

And Pieter Labuschagne points to the sticks.

Yu Tamura steps up to applause from the stands...

Glorious stuff from Kotaro Matsushima as he collects a kick over his own tryline, drops a shoulder and motors upfield.

His kick ahead is gathered by Ireland but that has lifted the crowd...

Image source, Getty Images

Rory Best's line-out throw is burgled and Japan can ease the pressure...

The Ireland set-piece is wobbling.

Michael Leitch thinks the ball is out and sweeps round the back of the scrum to scrag Conor Murray.

Angus Gardner disagrees. Penalty Ireland and they kick deep into the Japan 22m.