Les Kiss was made to sweat in his Wallabies coaching debut as the visitors survived moments of calamity and a red card to beat Japan 35-32 in Osaka.
Australia trailed early but, just as they appeared set to steady and surge away, were reduced to 14 men for 20 minutes thanks to a Miles Amatosero red card.
Japan, coached by Eddie Jones and seeking their first win in eight encounters, smelt blood.