Japan and South Africa remain level at 0-0 after 45 minutes of Group F football at the Millennium Stadium.
It was six minutes until the first effort of the match, and it came to Japan in the shape of Karina Maruyama, but she fired wide.
The chances continued to fall for Japan, with Kozue Ando twice coming close with efforts from inside the box, but the score remained level.
South Africa were not without their chances, however, and Portia Modise twice tested the palms of Ayumi Kaihori with 25 minutes on the clock.
Japan continued to dominate in the latter stages of the half, and came close through Aya Miyama, but it remained level at the interval.
