Hosts China concluded their 2015 Women's East Asian Cup with a three-game losing streak after a 2-0 loss inflicted by Japan in Wuhan on Saturday.
Prior to their clash, both teams suffered two-game losing streak and China ranked third on goal difference, a draw would guarantee the hosts the bronze medals.
Japan almost took the lead in the 26th minute as Ami Sugita's free kick hit the left post.
Japan's Mai Kyokawa's powerful shot out of the box in the 59th minute was pushed to safety by China's goalkeeper Wang Fei just one minute before Yuri Kawamura's header hit the post.
Substitute Kumi Yokoyama helped Japan take the lead in the 88th minute as her shot inside the box beat goalkeeper Wang Fei after her single-pole ball was denied by Wang in the 84th minute.
Sugita sealed the game in the stoppage time through a counter-attack as the midfielder's long shot beat Wang again.
In an early fixture, DPR Korea beat South Korea 2-0 to win the four-team tournament with three straight victories.
