Overview

• Starter Daito Nakano struck out nine over five shutout innings in Naha, allowing four hits.
• Kamimura Gakuen’s Imaoka hit a two-run home run in the third inning to extend Japan’s early lead.
• The victory secured at least a top-three finish in Group A and confirmed Japan’s place in the second-round pool starting Sept. 11.
• South Africa dropped to 0–3 in group play with the mercy-rule loss.
• Elsewhere, Puerto Rico beat Cuba to move to 3–1 in Group A, and the United States improved to 4–0 in Group B by defeating China.