Seiya Suzuki belted a three-run homer in the bottom of the third, while starter Rei Takahashi threw six innings of one-hit ball, as Japan overpowered Puerto Rico 4-0 in the WBSC Premier12 opening round on Wednesday.
Samurai Japan made it two wins in a row at the Olympic qualifying tournament at Taoyuan International Baseball Stadium, following an 8-4 comeback victory over Venezuela on Tuesday.
Japan automatically qualifies for the 2020 Summer Games as host but is using the 12-team competition, held jointly by Japan, South Korea, Mexico and Taiwan, to strengthen its bid for Olympic gold on home soil.