Finland went two goals up in the second period through Julia Liikala and Elisa Holopainen before Anna Neuenschwander and Lara Christen brought Switzerland level.

Despite the Swiss comeback, Viivi Vainikka and Anni Timonen scored another two for Finland to secure a victory for their country at the Obihiro Arena.

This puts Finland on top of Group B with six points and gives them a place in the quarter-finals. 

The remaining game in Group B saw the Czech Republic defeat hosts Japan 4-2.

Natalie Mlynkova scored twice for the Czechs, with Hana Haasova and Sara Cajanova also getting on the score-sheet.

Kaho Suzuki and Ami Sasaki got the consolatory goals for Japan. 

Both the Swiss and Czechs now have a win each and will battle for the second qualifying place from the group.

In Group A, holders the United States came from behind to defeat Canada 3-2.

Julia Gosling and Laura Cote scored first for Canada, before a goal from Dominique Petrie and two from Abbey Murphy won it for the Americans. 

Russia beat Sweden 5-3, with Yelizaveta Shkalyova grabbing a hat-trick for the winning side.

Karina Akhmetova and Vita Ponyatovskaya also scored for Russia, while Vendela Olsson, Lina Ljungblom and Josefin Bouveng got on the score-sheet for Sweden.

With the top two teams from Group A progressing straight to the semi-finals but the bottom two competing in the quarter-finals, the final standings will be decided on January 9 when the US play Sweden and Canada meet Russia. 

In Group B, Japan take on Switzerland and Finland come up against the Czech Republic.