It was clearly evident Bafana Bafana's first-choice keeper was the most experienced player in the South African squad and he was their best performer.
In the first half he kept South Africa in the game with some crucial saves and also limited the more damage after Japan scored.
The Kaizer Chiefs man struggled to keep pace with the quicker Japanese players.
Some raids came from his side which the hosts took as a corridor for attacks.
The 22-year-old full-back also struggled with Japan wingers just like Frosler, and was dribbled past by Takefusa Kubo on his way to score the only goal of the contest.
However, he was a threat going forward and was the first South African to have a real chance at goal.
The South Africa under-23 captain was impressive at the back amid wave after wave of attacks by the hosts.
He did well to keep the scoreline respectable.
The former Mamelodi Sundowns defender did well to complement Malepe and Luke Fleurs at the back in the face of a Japanese onslaught.
The 21-year-old centre-back, who is on the books of SuperSport United, was rock solid as he helped Malepe and Mukumela to keep the hosts at bay.
The SuperSport United midfielder never fully expressed himself.
South Africa's supply chain from the midfield was cut by the hosts and Mokoena never really reproduced his Matsatsantsa performances.
The Baroka FC man disappointed and was a pale shadow of the player who earned himself an Orlando Pirates contract.
Just like Mokoena, the Portugal-based playmaker struggled to break Japan's midfield barrier to feed South Africa's forwards.
The Pacos de Ferreira striker was starved of balls upfront and on some occasions had to retreat deep into midfield to try and win possession for South Africa.
He, however disappointed with the ball, and missed South Africa's brightest chance of the match which was a golden opportunity to equalise.
The new Bafana Bafana international also struggled upfront mainly due to lack of supply of passes.
He was introduced with 11 minutes to go for Reeve Frosler and threatened to turn things around.
However, nothing much came out of his promising runs and passes.
Not much was seen from the Kaizer Chiefs man after he came on in stoppage time for Mosele.
