Japan has moved up on the IRB World Rankings after the team's improved performance at the Pacific Nation Cup.

Japan is now the 12th rated team while Samoa has slipped to the 13th position.

Fiji remains at the 10th position.

Meanwhile, Samoa defeated Fiji 31-9 in the final Pacific Nations Cup match yesterday afternoon to win their first ever PNC trophy in a dramatic finale.

Having already won the IRB Sevens World Series this year, the PNC triumph is another feather in the cap of Samoan rugby, and it was IRB Sevens Player of the Year nominee Alafoti Fa'osiliva who stole the show late on at Apia Park.

Having lost 31-23 to Japan last week, Samoa needed a try scoring bonus point and a winning margin of more than 13 points to win the PNC for the first time.

Samoa scored a total of five tries, a try to Joe Tekori, 7s star's Mikaele Pesamino and Uale Mai scored the last try to seal the victory and Lolo Lui converted three tires.

Fiji's points all came from the three penalties by fullback Dan Rawaqa.

Any hopes Fiji had of a comeback were dashed when they lost Rupeni Nasiga to the sin bin.