The world number 64 defeated his opponent, who is ranked 43 places higher, 11-8, 5-11, 11-8, 11-7, 11-9 at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium.

Lim, 20, is considered one of the most improved players on the international scene in recent months and has now advanced to the main draw in Japan’s capital.

There was further disappointment for the host nation as 13-year-old Tomokazu Harimoto lost 2-11, 11-13, 16-14, 6-11, 8-11 in his match against China’s Liang Jingkun. 

Harimoto is currently ranked 39^th in the world, two places above 20-year-old Liang.

However, Japan did have some success with unranked Tonin Ryuzaki and Takuya Jin both defying the odds to claim victories.

Ryuzaki overcame world number 114 Chiang Hung-Chieh of Chinese Taipei 11-6, 11-8, 12-10, 11-4, while Jin beat world number 65 Steffen Mengel of Germany 11-8, 6-11, 12-10, 11-9, 11-8.

Another Japanese competitor, world number 127 Kazuhiro Yoshimura, defeated Belgium’s Cédric Nuytinck 15-13, 12-10, 11-7, 10-12, 1-11, 11-9.

China had a productive day in the second qualification round of the women’s event with Chen Ke, Chen Xingtong, Sung Yingsha, Wang Manyu and Yuan Xuejiao all emerging victorious.

Chen Xingtong, the winner of the women’s singles event at this year's Hungarian Open, accounted for Chinese Taipei’s Huang Yi-Hua 11-6, 11-9, 12-14, 6-11, 11-2, 11-2.

Wang, the runner-up at the Qatar Open in February, had to recover from 3-0 deficit to beat Canada’s Zhang Mo 6-11, 5-11, 9-11, 11-6, 12-10, 11-4, 11-4.

Both Sung and Yuan, meanwhile, beat former ITTF World Tour women’s singles winners with the former defeating South Korea’s Choi Hyojoo 11-6, 11-3, 11-2, 11-2 and the latter overcoming Hong Kong’s vastly experienced Tie Yana 4-11, 11-5, 11-5, 7-11, 11-4, 11-8.

Chen Ke also produced an impressive performance, ending the hopes of the host nation’s Yui Hamamoto courtesy of an 11-8, 11-7, 14-12, 14-12 win.

Main draw play is due to commence tomorrow.