Sachiko Sugiyama led Japan with 15 points but Olympic bronze medal-winner Brazil maintained its undefeated run with a 26-24, 25-20, 27-25 triumph over the hosts in the final day of the women's volleyball World Grand Prix tournament in Tokyo on Sunday.
Japan outscored Brazil, which clinched its third straight victory at Yoyogi National Gymnasium, in team attacks with 110 to Brazil's 109 but looked powerless as its countless offensive challenges were denied by solid blocks as the match ended in just over an hour.
"The players did a good job. The loss was a result of me not being able to give accurate instructions," said Japan coach Masahiro Yoshikawa after the match.
Elsewhere, Angelina Gruen earned 16 points alone to lift Germany to a 25-17, 25-21, 25-15 win over winless tournament debutant Thailand.