SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. -- Ryusei Hirooka lined a decisive two-run double in the bottom of the fifth inning, Shunpei Takagi hit two solo home runs, and Tokyo beat Chula Vista, Calif., 6-4 on Sunday to win the Little League World Series.
It was the 14th championship game for Japan, which was making its fourth straight appearance in the title game, and ninth championship. California, making its 23rd championship-game appearance, has won seven World Series titles.
Giancarlo Cortez had a two-run single and Grant Holman an RBI single for Chula Vista.
Trailing 4-3 after Cortez's clutch single in the fourth, Japan tied it on Takagi's second homer and won it when Hirooka lined a 2-2 pitch down the left-field line for a double.
California beat Westport, Conn., 12-1 in the U.S. championship game Saturday, while Japan beat Mexico 3-2 for the international title.
Japan finished the tournament undefeated but had to rally to beat the Americans, who left 12 runners on base in a game that was there for the taking.
Facing one last threat in the sixth, the Japanese players erupted in glee, tossing manager Masumi Omae in the air near the mound after his slick fielders had turned a game-ending double play.
