Japan, the reigning women's world champion and London Olympic silver medalist, had returning captain Aya Miyama sent off and was held to a 1-1 draw by New Zealand in a rain-lashed international friendly on Thursday.
Yuki Ogimi opened the scoring with a well-taken strike midway through the first period, before Miyama was sent off for a second bookable offense on the stroke of halftime.
New Zealand pressed hard in the second half and its efforts were rewarded when Annalie Longo rifled home with seven minutes left.