Japan's hopes of adding some much needed points so they can retain their place in the World Rugby Women's Sevens Series took a hit Saturday as they opened the Kitakyushu Sevens with three straight losses.

On the day Australia suffered their first defeat this season, having won 12 from 12 to win the Dubai and Sydney legs, Hitoshi Inada's Japan were outmuscled and lacked any real pace when they had ball in hand as they went down 38-5 to New Zealand, 33-5 to France and 45-17 to the United States at Mikuni World Stadium.

"Our goal was to make the top eight in this tournament but we couldn't start well and struggled to improve from game to game," said Japan captain Chiharu Nakamura.

"I know the potential of the girls so I think the pressure of being hosts got to us. That's not an excuse though as we have been together for a year."

(Japan's Emii Tanaka breaking free against New Zealand.)

New Zealand, fresh off winning the gold medal in the Commonwealth Games last week, set the pace on the first day with three wins. They followed up their drubbing of the hosts with a 31-12 win over the United States and a 38-7 thumping of France, and will play China in the quarterfinals. The Chinese, who will be full-time tour members next season, beat Ireland 24-12 to give Asia something to cheer about.

The other Cup quarterfinals see Fiji take on Australia, whose unbeaten run was ended by Spain 17-14. Russia are up against France, while Spain are rewarded for their efforts with a match-up against England.

The Sakura Sevens, meanwhile will play the United States and Canada will take on Ireland in the Challenge semifinals.

Japan arrived in Kitakyushu the lowest-ranked core team, two points behind Fiji and seven back from England as the series reaches the third round of five.

The hosts got off to the worst possible start, when New Zealand's Portia Woodman crossed straight from the kickoff.

(Captain Chiharu Nakamura tries to fend off the U.S. in Japan's third game Saturday.)

The flying wing added a second shortly after as the hosts' inability to hold onto the ball was exploited to the full with New Zealand running in six tries.

Raichielmiyo Bativakalolo scored a consolation try for the Sakura Sevens following a good run by Emii Tanaka, but the result set the tone for the day.

"We couldn't keep the ball for more than 90 seconds," rued Inada. "The pressure they put us under with their defense was more than we expected."

Against France, Yume Hirano managed a late consolation effort, but once again the hosts were outmuscled as the French ran in five tries.

While the final game saw their best offensive output with Tanaka, Bativakalolo and Mifuyu Koide crossing the chalk, defensive frailties meant Japan were always three or four scores behind the Americans.

"We made too many handling errors," said Nakamura.