JAKARTA - China failed to snatch its sixth consecutive gold medal in women's badminton team event after losing to top-seeded Japan 3-1 in the 18th Asian Games final here on Wednesday.

The Chinese women shuttlers kicked off their winning trip back to 1998 in Bangkok.

Top singles player Chen Yufei propelled China to leading position through her 21-15, 21-12 victory over Yamaguchi Akane.

Japan made their response as world No. 1 pairing Fukushima Yuki and Hirota Sayaka marched past Chen Qingchen and Jia Yifan 21-12, 21-17.