For the second year in a row a team from Japan made it to the Little League World Series championship game. But this time the result was different.

Osaka, Japan won 5-0 over Phenix City, Alabama in a game at Howard J. Lamade Stadium where 42,000 spectators looked on.

Japanese pitcher Kazuki Sumiyama held the South to only two hits while not allowing them to establish any rally. ""This was the first time I have been in front of so many people," he said through an interpreter. "I was nervous at first, but as the game went on I got more comfortable."

Japan got on the board with a run in the second. They then scored two in fourth and two in the fifth. Kazuya Yamasaki had two hits: a RBI double in the fourth and a RBI single in the fifth. He also scored two runs.

Japan captain Takashi Sakurai also had two hits. He is one of the smallest players on the team, but has one of the biggest hearts. "It was very overwhelming at first," he said. "But I got more comfortable as the game went on."

Cory Rasmus and Zack Martin had the lone hits for the South. They were not able to produce any runs, though. Sumiyama managed to strike out nine Alabama hitters, keeping them baffled throughout the game.

"Of course winning is good," said Japan manager Tsutomu Kameyama. "The country of Japan was very focused on us because I used to play in the Japanese Major League."

The South goes home with the title of United States Champions and they have nothing to be ashamed of. "This has been the best and most memorable event of my life," said South manager Tony Rasmus. "I think I took a different approach to today’s game. I figured if we didn’t win, we still accomplished a lot."

What made this championship game so special is the fact that Japan and the South were very friendly off the field. They shook hands before the game and after. They danced together to pre-game music and enjoyed each other’s presence. "Their manager is such a good guy," Rasmus said. "And the kids had such a great time together."