Japan proved too strong for Thailand after coming back from two sets down to win the Asian Women's Volleyball Championship on Thursday.
The Thais took the first two sets (28-26, 25-20) but the Japanese did not throw in the towel and regrouped to win the last three sets (25-16, 25-16, 15-7).
It was the second loss to Japan in the competition after Thailand were beaten 3-1 in an earlier round on Monday.
"Japan raised the tempo of the game in the last three sets," Thailand coach Danai Sriwacharamaytakul told Thairath TV after the match. Going to the final and a chance to play against Japan gave Thai players an experience, he added.
Japan also beat Thailand twice at the World Grand Prix pool competition last month.
Thailand reached the final after stunning the previously unbeaten South Korea 3-0 on Wednesday, while three-time winners Japan, the only team with a perfect record in this championship, crushed defending champions China in three sets.