Host Japan face a possible last-place finish in the Tokyo Olympics men's rugby sevens tournament after suffering a 36-12 group stage loss to Canada followed by a 21-7 defeat to Kenya on Tuesday.

On Monday, Japan wasted a halftime lead in a disappointing 24-19 defeat to defending champion Fiji in their opener before being hammered 34-0 by Great Britain. The hosts wrapped up the group stage without a win. Against Kenya, Japan wasted an early 7-0 lead.

Naoki Motomura (2nd from R) kicks the ball during the second half of Japan's match against Canada in pool play of the Tokyo Olympic men's rugby sevens on July 27, 2021, at Tokyo Stadium. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Japan, surprising fourth-place finishers in 2016, will now face South Korea on Wednesday to determine 11th and 12th place in the 12-team tournament.

New Zealand will take on Britain in one semifinal and Argentina will face Fiji in the other, the winner of each match to meet in the gold medal game.

Against Canada, Japan picked up where they left off on Monday, neither able to secure possession at restarts nor complete their tackles.

Japan's first foray with the ball ended in a forward pass, and a high tackle with less than two minutes left in the first half sent Japan's Jose Seru to the sin bin, opening the door for Canada's third try and a 19-0 halftime lead.

Kazushi Hano scored Japan's first try in the opening seconds of the second half after a botched offload by Canada co-captain Nathan Hirayama. Japan captain Chihito Matsui scored a consolation try in the final minute.

From start to finish, Japan's inability to make one-on-one tackles sucked in extra defenders and gave Canada space on the flanks to exploit.