Japan coach John Kirwan described himself as "pretty happy" with his side's performance after they ran out 101-7 winners over Kazakhstan to move to within touching distance of a place at Rugby World Cup 2011.Kirwan's side have now enjoyed 11 bonus point victories in the three year history of the HSBC Asian 5 Nations, the most recent coming thanks to a 15-try haul at the Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium in Tokyo on Saturday.
They now sit six points clear of Hong Kong at the top of the standings with the two rivals to meet at the same Tokyo venue next Saturday. Japan have a far superior point differential and are favourites to claim a third successive Asian 5 Nations crown.
This will see the Brave Blossoms qualify for Rugby World Cup 2011 as Asia 1 and join hosts New Zealand, France, Tonga and Canada in Pool A at the showpiece tournament.
Kazakhstan's heavy loss has not ended their hopes of finishing second in the Top 5, a placing which would see them enter the cross-continental play-off to determine the 20th and final qualifier for Rugby World Cup 2011.
They currently lie fourth in the Top 5 standings, five points adrift of Hong Kong, but a bonus point win over Korea next weekend will see Kazakhstan secure that coveted second spot, providing Hong Kong leave Tokyo without a four-try or losing bonus point.
Japan had wrapped up the try-scoring bonus point by the 17th minute against Kazakhstan, Shota Horie, Sione Vatuvei, Goshi Tachikawa and Koji Taira touching down for the hosts.
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