Yasutaka Uchiyama scored a consolation win against Pierre-Hugues Herbert in the final reverse singles on Sunday to prevent a whitewash for Japan in its Davis Cup World Group first-round tie against France.
The Japanese team had only pride to play for after France built an unassailable 3-0 lead after Friday's opening singles rubbers and Saturday's doubles.
Things went from bad to worse for Japan captain Minoru Ueda's team when Yoshihito Nishioka lost Sunday's first singles match against Nicolas Mahut after pulling out injured early in the second set at Ariake Colosseum.