The Akatsuki Five remain winless in the Asian qualifiers first round for the 2019 World Cup after a 70-69 loss to Taiwan at Yokohama International Swimming Pool on Thursday night.
Taiwan posted its first win of the tournament after it fell to Australia and the Philippines, while Japan dropped to 0-3 in Group B.
Chen Ying-chun and Hu Long-mao led Taiwan with 15 points apiece. Chen grabbed nine rebounds as well. American-born center Quincy Davis III chipped in with 12 points and a game-high 11 rebounds for the visitors.