A lively but balanced Japan have overcome Italy 34-17 in their opening Test in Kyushu, extending the Azzurri's winless run to eight games and providing a timely boost for next year's Rugby World Cup hosts.
Jamie Joseph's men produced a devastating display of attacking rugby on Saturday for a delighted home crowd at the Oita Dome, which will host five 2019 World Cup matches.
All four Japanese tries came from scintillating attacking moves, with Amanaki Lelei Mafi and Kenki Fukuoka scoring in the first half, before winger Lomano Lava Lemeki and fullback Kotaro Matsushima followed suit in the second.
Italy had kept themselves in the contest with tries from prop Tiziano Pasquali and No.8 Abraham Jurgens Steyn to reach halftime trailing the world's 11th-ranked side 17-14.
However, Japan took control after the break with five-eighth Yu Tamura at the centre of everything positive for the Brave Blossoms, almost faultless with the boot and creating the chances for both second-half tries.
His cross-field kick was tapped back by hooker Shota Horie into the path of Lemeki to give Japan a 10-point lead with 20 minutes to play, before a deft grubber kick invited Matsushima to go over for the game's final points after 66 minutes.
The win is Japan's first over a top-tier nation since their famous victory over South Africa in the 2015 World Cup pool stage and leaves Italy with just one win in their past 18 matches.
Conor O'Shea's 14th-ranked side will have a quick chance to gain revenge when the two sides meet again on June 16 in Kobe.
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