Japan lead France 1-0 at the interval of their Olympic semi-final clash at Wembley Stadium.
Japan enjoyed the best of the early possession, but the first real chance of the afternoon fell to the French.
It was Louisa Necib who struck from inside the box, but Miho Fukumoto made the save, before Necib was denied once more with 12 minutes on the clock.
France continued to create the better chances as the half developed, and Elodie Thomis tested Fukumoto, before the stopper gathered a tame shot from Sandrine Soubeyrand moments later.
It was Japan who took the lead, however, when Sarah Bouhaddi made a hash of a straightforward catch, and Yuki Ogimi tapped home from close range after 32 minutes.
France continued to probe around the Japan box in the latter stages of the half, but they could not break through.
