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

Live Reporting

Dafydd Pritchard

  1. 'Wales in control again'

    Japan 3-14 Wales

    James Hook
    Former Wales fly-half on BBC Radio Wales

    Wales were in control last week and they let it slip.

    Momentum is so crucial, but Wales are in control again.

  2. Japan 3-14 Wales

    If the ball is difficult to handle in these conditions - and it seems to be - Wales will do well to use that powerful maul of theirs as much as they can.

    Even during these lean times for Wales, their rolling maul has often been a weapon.

    Unfortunate for Dan Edwards, whose clearance from his own half goes beyond the dead-ball line and Japan have a scrum midway through the Wales half.

  3. 'Maul a huge strength for Wales'

    Japan 3-14 Wales

    James Hook
    Former Wales fly-half on BBC Radio Wales

    The driving maul is a huge strength for Wales in this first half.

    Dewi Lake broke off and Kieran Hardy saw a gap.

    He seemed to have lost control of the ball for a second but the try is given.

  4. try

    Converted try - Japan 3-14 Wales

    Kieran Hardy

    Wales' pressure tells.

    But there will be a TMO check for the grounding.

    Double trouble for Japan as number eight Faulua Makis is sent to the sin-bin for the earlier frequent infringements at maul time.

    Dewi Lake punches a hole in the Japan defence and, from the next phase, scrum-half Kieran Hardy darts over.

    Dan Edwards converts and Wales extend their lead.

    Wales' Kieran Hardy scores a tryHuw Evans Picture Agency

  5. Japan 3-7 Wales

    The maul earns Wales another penalty and referee Luke Pearce warns Japan captain Michael Leitch that the next infringement will lead to a card.

    Once more, Edwards kicks to the corner.

  6. Japan 3-7 Wales

    Wales secure the lineout and get another penalty for offside. Dan Edwards kicks to the corner again.

    Pressure building.

  7. Japan 3-7 Wales

    Wales' rolling maul looks in good order. It earns them a penalty in Japan's half.

    Dan Edwards does well to kick to the corner from a tight angle.

    Another fine chance for Wales here.

  8. Japan 3-7 Wales

    James Hook
    Former Wales fly-half on BBC Radio Wales

    It's a well-struck kick and that's exactly what Japan needed to settle them down.

    Both teams have made errors, a lot of knock-ons.

  9. Penalty - Japan 3-7 Wales

    Seungsin Lee

    This is harsh on Wales flanker Josh Macleod.

    Faulua Makisi dips into a tackle from the Scarlets man and the Japan back-row's head makes contact with Macleod's chest.

    TMO Glenn Newman advises referee Luke Pearce to award a penalty, play is brought back to the Welsh half and Japan fly-half Seungsin Lee kicks his team's first points.

  10. 'Certain try gone begging'

    Japan 0-7 Wales

    James Hook
    Former Wales fly-half on BBC Radio Wales

    You can see the frustration in Josh Adams' face.

    It was a lovely kick through and it was all about Josh Adams' pace.

    It sat up for him but it's a knock-on.

    It's a certain try gone begging for Wales.

  11. Japan 0-7 Wales

    What a chance for Josh Adams!

    Wales turn the ball over and Aaron Wainwright canters into the Japanese half before showing excellent vision to kick into space.

    The ball bounces kindly for Adams but the Wales wing fumbles it with the try line at his mercy.

    That greasy ball again!

  12. Japan 0-7 Wales

    James Hook
    Former Wales fly-half on BBC Radio Wales

    That was a really good tackle by Josh Macleod - it had to be made.

    That's the first line break from Japan. It shows the threats they have got in the backline.

  13. Japan 0-7 Wales

    Japan threaten for the first time and it's full-back Ichigo Nakakusu who cuts through the Welsh defensive line.

    He glides into the Welsh 22 but the visitors' scrambling defence manages to force Japan into touch.

    From the resulting lineout, Dan Edwards kicks to touch outside the 22, but Wales aren't out of the woods yet.

  14. Japan 0-7 Wales

    Wales have a lineout near Japan's 22 but Kieran Hardy ends up kicking possession away.

    The hosts then clear into the Welsh 22 and Tom Rogers tidies up with a kick to touch near halfway.

    Dan Edwards is down getting treatment after taking a tackle to the guts after an earlier kick, but the fly-half looks fine to continue.

  15. Japan 0-7 Wales

    James Hook
    Former Wales fly-half on BBC Radio Wales

    If Wales can get outside that fourth, fifth defender, there's a lot of space there.

    It's just about having the accuracy to get out there.

    Wales' Johnny WilliamsHuw Evans Picture Agency

  16. Japan 0-7 Wales

    Scott Williams
    Former Wales centre on BBC Radio Cymru

    We're playing good rugby at times, we just need to stay consistent with it, which is tough in these conditions.

  17. Japan 0-7 Wales

    Gareth Griffiths
    BBC Sport Wales at the Noveir Stadium, Kobe

    There is a wonderful array of red and white among the fans here in Kobe.

    A great atmosphere which is improved with the roof closed.

  18. Japan 0-7 Wales

    This time the lineout is good and here is a prime attacking position for Wales.

    Japan's defence is good and, after a series of phases that don't go anywhere, Wales scrum-half Kieran Hardy has the ball ripped off him and the home side are able to clear.

    Time for the first drinks break.

    It's boiling hot in Wales too. Calippos for breakfast?

  19. Japan 0-7 Wales

    Gwyn Jones
    Former Wales captain on S4C

    Again Wales lose possession, that was a strong run by Wainwright, but he needed support with him.

    You can feel already the last 20 minutes is going to be awkward for Wales.

  20. Japan 0-7 Wales

    Now Japan fumble the slippery ball and Wales have a scrum midway in their own half.

    The scrum holds firm and Blair Murray kicks superbly into the Japanese 22.

    A brilliant 50:22 which earns Wales the lineout in a promising attacking position.