NAGOYA — Toyota Motor winger Kosuke Endo touched down early in the second half to ignite a comeback as Japan beat the United States for the first time in nine years with a 29-19 victory in a rugby friendly on Sunday.

Endo's try put Japan ahead 15-14 five minutes after the break at Mizuho Stadium and the hosts extended the lead on four penalties, including three by Ryan Nicholas, and a conversion en route to improving their record against the Americans to 4-12 with a draw.