Japan survived a late Scotland rally and two viable penalty claims to leave the Scots' World Cup qualification hopes in tatters after a 2-1 defeat.
After defeat to England in their opening game, Shelley Kerr's team needed a positive result but were outplayed in the first-half, going down to Mana Iwabuchi (23) and a Yuika Sugasawa penalty (37).
Some second-half substitutions sparked Scotland into life and a brilliant long-range Lana Clelland (88) finish narrowed the deficit but it was too little too late.
Scotland had two strong late penalty shouts - for a foul on Erin Cuthbert and a handball by Risa Shimizu - that were turned down and not reviewed by VAR while Cuthbert also hit the post from close range.
This defeat leaves Scotland bottom of the group, knowing they need to beat Argentina to have a chance of making the knockout stages as one of the four best third-placed sides.
Match Events
23' Iwabuchi was left in quite a bit of space on the edge of the box when Endo picked her out and after taking a touch, she fires her shot over Alexander and into the back of the net.
37' Sugasawa scores the penalty! She confidently steps up the spot and sends the goalkeeper the wrong way as she passes the ball into the back of the net. 2-0 Japan!
88' A very poor pass from Ichise is played straight to Clelland who is in a lot of space just outside the box. She has time to take a touch before she finds the back of the net with a brilliant long-range strike that gives the keeper no chance.
Loversad
62
Could have been a different story if there was any consistency in the refereeing. Two stonewall penalties not given
Jabonero
60
We can talk about lack of VAR for penalty shouts but ultimately Scotland just weren't good enough for most of the match
oedipus
59
What a hard slog, denied a possible goal scoring opportunity due to a dreadful off side call, then the softest penalty I've ever seen in my 50 odd years watching and following football, only to be denied a Scottish penalty, but what a goal from Lana Cleveland, top drawer.
pompousz
59
Got to admit that Japan were the better team on the day but the refereeing was so inconsistent
sheratonen
36
I thought the refereeing in the Prem was poor, but this is another level, what's worse is that they have VAR. Terrible decisions cost Scotland at least a point. Shameful.
enjoying
35
I thought it was a very poor performance. Tactics all wrong. Confidence lacking in forward passing. Coach got it wrong today.
yuyu21
34
The level of officiating in that game was nothing short of disgraceful. Japan are a great side , but their 1st goal comes from a shocking decision from the lineswomen and if their pen is judged a foul then Scotland should of had 2.