Asian powerhouse Japan opened the 2017 Sapporo Asian Winter Games ice hockey men's top division competition with an easy victory, breezing over China 14-0 on Wednesday.
Makuru Furuhashi scored three for Japan, who dominated the match from the beginning to the end.
China had a few chances in the second and third quarters, but converted none of its nine attempts into goal.
"We are a young team and it's a great chance for us to learn from the top level of Asia," said China's head coach Hu Jiang.
Kazakhstan and South Korea had a tough match, and the Kazak did a good job in the second and third periods to beat South Korea 4-0.
Kazakhstan who placed 16th on the IIHF World Rankings 2016, highest in Asia, pushed hard in attacks, while the Korean defenders were strong enough to keep the Kazak from scoring in the first quarter.
The second quarter remained goalless till Maxim Volkov scored the opener in the 35th minute before the Asian Games champion had the smooth rhythm to seal the victory by collecting three more goals afterwards.
In the next round on Friday, Kazakhstan will take on China and Japan faces South Korea.
