Their winning start to the Championships came to an end with a straight sets defeat to China in Pool D on Wednesday (September 28), but Japan hit back against Brazil at the GelreDome in the Dutch city of Arnhem.

Outside hitter Arisa Inoue notched a match-high 27 points for Japan, who took control by winning the first two sets 25-22 and 25-19.

Brazil halved the deficit by taking the third 25-17, but a 25-20 triumph for Japan in the fourth clinched the match.

China continued their perfect start to the Championships by beating Czech Republic 25-19, 25-22, 27-25 in Arnhem.

They lead the Pool D standings, followed by Brazil and Japan.

Argentina recorded their second win of the tournament by edging past Colombia 19-25, 25-17, 27-29, 25-20, 15-8 in the other Pool D match to leave them in fourth place.

Pool C's action at the Atlas Arena in Łódź featured wins for the Olympic champions and the defending champions.

Tokyo 2020 gold medallists the United States eased past Germany 25-17, 25-13, 26-24, and top the standings having not dropped a set so far.

Serbia, defending their title from 2018, chalked up their fourth win of the Championships by seeing off Kazakhstan 25-13, 25-17, 25-10.

Canada boosted their hopes of reaching the Second Round by beating Bulgaria 25-21, 25-27, 25-20, 25-15.

In the last match of the day, hosts The Netherlands went down 25-16, 23-25, 26-24, 27-25 in Pool A in Arnhem.

An inspired performance from Belgian outside hitter Britt Herbots enabled her to contribute 41 points to Belgium's victory, the second highest total in Women's World Championship history.

Both teams and pool leaders Italy are already assured of a place in the next round.

The top four teams in each pool advance to the Second Round, with tomorrow marking the penultimate day of First Round matches.