Holders Japan overcame Mexico 2-0 today ©WBSC/Twitter

Japan and the United States will meet in the semi-finals of the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) Women's Softball World Championship after both nations came through their last-eight encounters in Surrey in Canada.

It sets up a repeat of the 2014 final, which Japan won 4-1 in the Dutch city of Haarlem.

The holders overcame Mexico 2-0 today, while the US defeated Venezuela 7-0.

Mexico and Venezuela will both have a second shot at reaching the last four tomorrow, when they face Canada and The Netherlands respectively. 

Competing in the first round of the double-page play-off stage today after finishing as runners-up in their groups, Canada edged China 4-3 and the Dutch beat New Zealand 8-2.

The United States will be hoping to gain revenge over Japan ©WBSC/Twitter
The United States will be hoping to gain revenge over Japan ©WBSC/Twitter

A record 30 national teams have participated in this year's WBSC Women’s Softball World Championship spanning Africa, Asia, Europe, Oceania and Central, North, and South America.

The gold medal game is scheduled for Sunday (July 24) and will be preceded by the bronze medal match earlier that same day.