Japan defeated Hungary 3-2 to advance to the men's quarterfinals at the world team table tennis championships in Tokyo on Thursday.
Hungary twice rallied, but Jun Mizutani scored his second victory to secure his team host top spot in Group C, beating Daniel Kosiba 11-3, 11-6, 11-5.
The Japanese finished the group with a 4-1 record and nine points.
On a good day all around for the host nation, the women's team also made the last eight with a 3-0 defeat of Australia to win Group B.
Sayaka Hirano put the women on their way by beating Zhenhua Dederko 11-9, 11-6, 11-6 and Sakura Mori wrapped up their perfect 5-0 record in the group phase by downing Miao Miao 11-2, 11-5, 11-5.