Summary

  • Wales hold on to end run of 18 straight international defeats in second of two summer Tests and final fixture of their season

  • Game played under roof at Noevir Stadium in Kobe

  • Wales register first international win since they beat Georgia in the World Cup in October 2023

  • Wales beaten 24-19 defeat first Japan Test last weekend having led 19-7 with 20 minutes remaining

  • Josh Adams scores early Wales try and Kieran Hardy goes over twice in first half, but Shuhei Takeuchi responds before break

  • Warner Deans cuts Welsh lead with contentious try after break before Dylan Riley breaks clear to score as Japan cut deficit to two points

  • Dan Edwards scores late try to ease nerves as Wales hold on for win

  1. Postpublished at 53 mins

    Japan 10-24 Wales

    Japan go through the phases but Wales' defence holds firm and, after a series of phases, they force a knock-on.

    Wales look to break through Keelan Giles but support runner Ben Thomas is forced into touch near halfway.

    Wales concede another penalty, which Japan kick to touch in the corner, putting their opponents back under pressure.

  2. Postpublished at 08:10 British Summer Time

    Japan 10-24 Wales

    Scott Williams
    Wales centre on BBC Radio Cymru

    Wales' defence needs to be strong now.

    I'm sure Japan want to start playing rugby now, they won't want a loose game when they're chasing.

  3. Postpublished at 51 mins

    Japan 10-24 Wales

    A bit sloppy from Wales as Freddie Thomas is offside in midfield, giving Japan a penalty which they kick deep near the Welsh 22.

    Pressure back on for the visitors.

  4. Postpublished at 08:08 British Summer Time

    Japan 10-24 Wales

    Gwyn Jones
    Former Wales captain on S4C

    Macleod does so well there, that penalty has brought the momentum back to Wales.

  5. Penalty - Japan 10-24 Walespublished at 49 mins

    Dan Edwards

    Dan Edwards strikes his penalty sweetly and Wales have the first points of the second half.

    Wales' Dan Edwards kicks at goalImage source, Huw Evans Picture Agency
  6. Postpublished at 48 mins

    Japan 10-21 Wales

    That's what Josh Macleod is all about.

    The Wales openside flanker goes foraging on the floor at a ruck and earns his team a precious penalty.

    Dan Edwards will have a kick at goal, some 40m out, to the right.

  7. 'Game's gone loose'published at 08:06 British Summer Time

    Japan 10-21 Wales

    Scott Williams
    Wales centre on BBC Radio Cymru

    Since half-time the game's gone a bit loose.

    Japan look good with the ball, they had a couple of chances and the bounce just didn't go their way.

    Wales need to tidy up now, little things like that make the difference.

  8. Postpublished at 47 mins

    Japan 10-21 Wales

    And breathe. Japan have a lineout on halfway.

    Wales need some control.

  9. Postpublished at 08:05 British Summer Time

    Japan 10-21 Wales

    James Hook
    Former Wales fly-half on BBC Radio Wales

    The Japanese attack is looking more threatening.

    Johnny Williams did well to get a hand in because if Japan take that ball, they are under the sticks.

  10. Postpublished at 46 mins

    Japan 10-21 Wales

    It's getting slightly panicky for Wales, with Japan upping the tempo and putting their opponents under pressure.

    A knock-on in the 22 gives the visitors a reprieve, but they need to start playing this game back in Japan's half.

  11. Postpublished at 08:03 British Summer Time

    Japan 10-21 Wales

    Gwyn Jones
    Former Wales captain on S4C

    Japan will be remembering last week, when in the second half when they raised their tempo, and played a bit more rugby, they tore Wales apart.

  12. Postpublished at 45 mins

    Japan 10-21 Wales

    Wales lose the lineout. Worrying signs already in this second half.

    But the next defensive phases are strong, they turn the ball over and Ben Thomas clears.

    Japan win a lineoutImage source, Getty Images
  13. Postpublished at 08:02 British Summer Time

    Japan 10-21 Wales

    Scott Williams
    Wales centre on BBC Radio Cymru

    Hopefully Wales have learnt from last week, they need to keep going on what's worked for them in the first half.

    The scrum's been strong, and the maul has been working for them, so concentrate on those things and we should be alright.

  14. Replacementpublished at 44 mins

    Japan 10-21 Wales

    A shame for Wales as Nicky Smith is forced off injured.

    Gareth Thomas, a very able deputy, comes on.

  15. Postpublished at 43 mins

    Japan 10-21 Wales

    A let-off for Wales. Dewi Lake takes a risk throwing to the back, the ball bounces loose but Japan concede a penalty as Aaron Wainwright is tackled off the ball.

    A chance for Wales to clear.

  16. Postpublished at 08:01 British Summer Time

    Japan 10-21 Wales

    James Hook
    Former Wales fly-half on BBC Radio Wales

    That's a really good cover tackle from Aaron Wainwright, but that's a warning sign for Wales.

    We didn't see too much of that in the first half.

  17. Postpublished at 43 mins

    Japan 10-21 Wales

    Wales will be hoping history doesn't repeat itself in this second half.

    Japan's handling is slicker, the tempo is quicker and they're on top in these early exchanges.

    Wing Kippei Ishida is tackled into touch and Wales have some respite.

    Prop Nicky Smith is down receiving treatment but will continue for now.

  18. Postpublished at 42 mins

    Japan 10-21 Wales

    Alex Mann is penalised for pinning down Japan captain Michael Leitch off the ball.

    Japan kick to touch in the Wales half, secure the lineout and are on the attack right away.

  19. Replacementpublished at 07:58 British Summer Time

    Japan 10-21 Wales

    Gareth Griffiths
    BBC Sport Wales in Kobe

    There are seven Welsh replacements "warming up" on the field with uncapped Ospreys wing Kelean Giles not there.

    It looks like Giles will finally win his first cap nine years after being named in a Wales squad.

    Giles is on for Josh Adams at the start of the second half.

  20. Kick-offpublished at 07:57 British Summer Time

    Japan 10-21 Wales

    The second half is under way, with Dan Edwards taking kick-off for Wales.

    A huge 40 minutes for the tourists as they chase a first Test win for nearly two years.