Top-seeded Japan beat host Thailand in Saturday's final to capture its first Uber Cup women's team badminton championship since 1981.

The Thais were surprise finalists after they upset powerhouse China in Friday's semifinals. But singles wins by Akane Yamaguchi and Nozomi Okuhara, and a doubles victory by Yuki Fukushima and Sayaka Hirota, finished off the plucky hosts 3-0 without dropping a game.

"Since the start we'd been unable to deliver good performances," said Yamaguchi, who took to the court with the home crowd chanting "Thailand!"

Former world No. 1 Yamaguchi opened with a 21-15, 21-19 win over 2013 world champion Ratchanok Intanon, and Fukushima and Hirota defeated Jongkolphan Kititharakul and Puttita Supajirakul 21-18, 21-12 in the second rubber.

Okuhara, the reigning singles world champion, defeated Thailand's Nitchaon Jindapol 21-12, 21-9 to close it out before Olympic doubles champions Misaki Matsutomo and Ayaka Takahashi could take the court.

"We had our dependable veterans waiting in the wings, so we were able to just think about playing hard," Okuhara said. "There was no thought of our making history. Instead, the feeling was that with this team, this year, we were here to win."

The final of the men's team tournament, the Thomas Cup, between Japan and China will take place on Sunday.

(Japanese players celebrate their victory)