The hosts and defending champions progressed a step further to retaining their title at the Eddie C. Moore Softball Complex.

Three runs in the first three innings put the Americans in control of the match after the Japanese could only score a single.

Neither side could add to their tally until the US added another solo score in the final innings to seal victory.

As a result of their defeat Japan drop into the bronze medal match against Puerto Rico.

However, the winner of that will then progress to the final against the US, with the losers awarded bronze.

In the second semi-final, Puerto Rico defeated Canada 6-5 to move into medal contention.

Both teams opened the match with two runs in their respective first innings.

Four in the second from Puerto Rico gave them a 6-2 lead which they managed to cling onto despite the Canadians scoring three of their own across innings four and five.

Canada, who finished in fourth, defeated Chinese Taipei earlier in the day 8-1 to leave the Asian country in fifth place.

Puerto Rico, meanwhile, progressed with a comfortable 7-0 win over China, consigning them to sixth.

In the placement round, Mexico have made it through to the final after claiming a narrow 1-0 win over The Philippines.

The losers will have another chance to make it through to the final, though, as they play the Dominican Republic tomorrow.

The Dominicans overcame Italy 8-3 to seal their place in the next round.