Japan looks set to battle South Korea for silver on the final day of figure skating's World Team Trophy in Tokyo after the United States opened up a seemingly insurmountable 15-point lead on Friday.
The United States extended its total to 90 points, while Japan remained third but closed the gap with second-place South Korea to one point after the pairs short program, ice dance free dance and women's free skate on Day 2 at Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium.
Japanese team captain Kaori Sakamoto finished second to South Korea's Lee Hae In in the women's free skate, in a reversal of their overall standings at last month's world championships at Saitama Super Arena near Tokyo.
A fall on her planned double axel-triple toe loop-double toe loop combination jump proved costly for the world champion, who otherwise skated strongly on her way to 145.75 points, 2.82 behind Lee. South Korea's Kim Ye Lim was third with 143.59.
"The most frustrating thing was being unable to complete the routine without a mistake," the 23-year-old Sakamoto said following her final appearance of the season. "But I've been taught it shouldn't end here. I want to use this frustration to motivate me next season.
Earlier in the day, reigning world champions Madison Chock and Evan Bates of the United States continued their ice dance domination by winning the free dance with a world record score for the segment of 138.41. Japan's Kana Muramoto and Daisuke Takahashi scored a personal-best 116.63 for fifth place.
In the pairs short program, Americans Alexa Knierim and Brandon Frazier scored 82.25, finishing just ahead of world champions Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara of Japan on 80.47.
Related coverage:
Figure skating: U.S. on top, Japan 3rd after World Team Trophy Day 1
Figure skating: Japan's world champion Shoma Uno to miss World Team Trophy
Figure skating: Sakamoto defends world title in tight battle with Lee
