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nations-championship
Wales fought from witty Japan insurance display 28-21 Nations Championship victory in Cardiff.
Josh Adams added a brace of tries from Archie Griffin and Louis Rees-Zammit as Wales claimed the bonus point – their second from four games in the competition.
Sam Costelow kicked three conversions and one substitute Dan Edwards and Wales breathed a sigh of relief at the final whistle.
Ben Gunter, Warner Dearns and Kenta Fukuda responded to Japan’s tries, while Naoto Saito (2) and Shinya Komura added six points with the boot.
Wales had to hold on for just their fourth win in Steve Tandy’s 13 games – two of which came against Japan.
But the fact New Zealand and Australia are next for Wales, will be of concern to the home fans, many of whom have decided to stay away from the home game in the turmoil.
Rows and rows of seats were empty at the Principality Stadium, with a crowd of 52,425 more than 20,000 below capacity.
This was the fourth meeting between the two sides in 16 months, with Wales needing a last-gasp penalty to win in Cardiff 12 months ago by one point.
Wales had a record 12 players from English clubs in their 23, with nine – including six forwards – in the starting XV, many of them shining at Gallagher Prem.
Bristol Rees-Zammit had the crowd on their feet with a 35m break in the first minute and Wales built from good field position as prop Griffin crashed over in his first Test and Costelow converted.
Rees-Zammit had plenty of touches in an open contest that Japan coach Eddie Jones anticipated and threatened at every opportunity.
But Japan equalized from a turnover when the Welsh numbers were exposed and Gunter slotted past Adams.
Forward Aaron Wainwright was brought down with a last-ditch effort as Wales looked to bring more structure to their game and go through phases.
Wales regained the lead in the 27th minute when Eddie James sent Jac Morgan in behind the left wing.
Morgan spotted Rees-Zammit who, after switching wings, made a pass for Adams to finish and Costelow to convert.
Japan responded immediately when Dearns crossed from close range and Saito added the extras again.
Wales went into the break 21-14 up as Rees-Zammit took a Blair Murray pass on the touchline and got off his right foot to shake off three defenders, although it took a goal-line intervention from Nicky Smith to deny Japan straight on the stroke of half-time.
Wales began to dominate the scrum and this allowed for a period of pressure, which was lost by clumsy handling.
Japan were also helped by a mistake in the Wales line which coughed up possession six times on their own throw.
The relief was palpable 12 minutes from time when Murray picked up the loose ball and raced down the touchline.
Murray moved inside to find Tomos Williams for support and Adams for his 25th Wales try and precious breathing space.
But Fukuda set up an anxious finish after breaking through five minutes from time.