Japan missed out on a medal at the Baseball World Cup after a 5-1 loss to Asian rival South Korea in the quarterfinals Wednesday.
Japan starter Tamotsu Sakamoto gave up three runs in the second inning, including a home run to Kim Sang Hyeon.
South Korea added two more runs on singles from Park Jung Kwon Kim and Sang Hyeon in the eighth to seal the win and set up a meeting with their Dutch hosts in the semifinals. Panama meets Cuba in the other semi on Friday.
Japan will play Puerto Rico on Thursday in the fifth to eighth place playoffs.