Defending champions Japan recorded their fourth consecutive victory as they maintained their perfect start to the tournament ©Facebook

Defending champions Japan recorded their fourth consecutive victory as they maintained their perfect start to the Junior Men's Softball World Championship in Prince Albert in Canada.

The Japanese side eased to a 16-5 demolition of South Africa in the Group A encounter at the Prime Ministers' Park Field.

Japan are joined at the summit of the standings by Australia, who also claimed their fourth straight win today.

Australia kept pace with the defending champions by comfortably defeating Mexico 8-1.

The two teams have opened up a considerable gap to the rest of the nations in the group and are well on course to qualify for the next round.

In the other Group A match played today, Argentina overcame Denmark 3-1.

Hosts Canada beat New Zealand in front of a sizeable crowd at the venue ©Facebook
Hosts Canada beat New Zealand in front of a sizeable crowd at the venue ©Facebook

Canada are the only unbeaten team left in Group B after they beat New Zealand, condemning them to their first defeat of the tournament.

The host nation clinched a battling 8-5 win to ensure they stood alone at the summit of the group standings with four victories from four matches.

The United States beat Guatemala 3-0 to continue their resurgence after they lost both of their opening games.

The US are joint third with the Czech Republic, who thrashed Hong Kong 13-0 today.

Six days of preliminary-round games will be followed by two days of play-offs and placement rounds before medal matches on Sunday (July 15).

The tournament continues tomorrow.