Los Angeles Angels star Shohei Ohtani hit a double, a single and hit two runs as Japan escaped an early deficit in the top of the third.

Korea managed to start off with a 3-0 lead but Japan quickly turned the game on its head during the bottom of the third behind, with four runs from Lars Nootbaar.

Japan's Yu Darvish, who plays for the San Diego Padres, conceded three hits before exiting the game after the third innings.

Japan never looked back after taking the lead, as they are now closing in on qualification for the quarter-finals with Czech Republic next on their radar in another pool B match-up.

Korea are facing the threat of elimination, as they also lost their first match against underdogs Australia.

Chinese Taipei bounced back after losing their first game 12-5 against Panama, as they came from behind to defeat Italy in a tight contest.

Taipei found themselves down 7-5 during the top of the fifth after Italy's Nicky Lopez hit a single and Brett Sullivan scored.

After that sequence, Taipei went on a six scores to nothing run.

Yu Chang and Nien-Ting Wu scored during the bottom of the eighth, which was enough to put the Italians away.

Both nations are now tied in pool A at one win and one loss, trailing only the Netherlands, who won both their games.