Samurai Japan, which had already secured a quarterfinal berth and first place in Group B at the Premier 12, ended the preliminary stage with an unbeaten record after a 6-5 win over Venezuela at Taoyuan International Stadium on Sunday night.
Late substitute Akira Nakamura sliced a walk-off hit to left with the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the ninth to send Japan into the next round with a flourish.
Japan, which went 5-0 during the round-robin first round, will roll into the knockout round on Monday.