In the opening match of the Qualifier, Samoa won the toss and sent Japan in for the first ICC match on turf in Japan.
Japan got off to a slow but solid start before captain Kurumi Ota was unluckily run out at the non-striker’s end.
From there Japan lost regular wickets throughout their 20 overs which restricted their ability to set a defendable score.
Former captain Shizuka Miyaji was the only batter to stay there for her 27 not out with Japan setting Samoa a target of just 71 for victory.
