Great Britain narrowly missed out on qualification for Fed Cup World Group II after losing the deciding set of their tie with Japan in Miki.
Johanna Konta beat Naomi Osaka 6-3, 6-3 to move Team GB to within one win of promotion but Heather Watson was beaten 7-6 (7), 6-4 by Kurumi Nara as Japan levelled the tie.
Konta and Watson then joined forces in the doubles and looked set to lead Britain to glory when they won the first set, but Japanese pair Miyu Kato and Makoto Ninomiya rallied for a 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 victory to send Japan, and not Britain, up.
It means Britain's wait to play in the Fed Cup World Group continues, having last competed in 1993, and losing four promotion playoffs in the last seven years.
Great Britain captain Anne Keothavong said: "We are gutted about the result. One day our opportunity will come.
"If you keep knocking on the door, it will eventually open. It wasn't to be this year but who is to say it won't be next year?"
Great Britain will play in Europe/Africa Group 1 in February 2019.