Aya Sameshima and Yuika Sugasawa sealed Japan's 2-1 win over Group C rivals Cameroon in Vancouver, seeing the Nadeshiko through to the knockout stage with a game to spare.
Japan have six points from two games, having also beaten Switzerland 1-0, with the Swiss on three after whipping Ecuador 10-1 on Friday.
Cameroon, who beat Ecuador 6-0 on Monday, are also on three points while the winless South Americans are the first team to be eliminated from the World Cup.
The United States lead the group with four points, followed by Australia on three, Sweden on two and Nigeria bottom with one point.
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The Japanese quickly took control of the game at BC Place Stadium with defender Sameshima opening the scoring after just six minutes and forward Sugasawa getting the second goal eleven minutes later.
"The Cameroonians threw everything at us in the closing stages," said Japan coach Norio Sasaki.
"I expected the game to be pretty intense and it was, there were so many close moments. It was great fun," said Sasaki.
The final round of group games takes place on Tuesday with Japan playing Ecuador in Winnipeg and Cameroon taking on Switzerland in Edmonton.
The Americans, who started with captain Abby Wambach on the bench, were given a tough test by the Swedes, who had played to a 3-3 draw with Nigeria in their opening match.
But a late headed chance for Wambach was denied by the reliable Swedish goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl.