The home team has won the Japan Open, which took place yesterday. The event has no bearing on the Grand Prix and is not an International Skating Union event (which is evident since Evgeny Plushenko appeared*). Team America lost by just over a tenth of a point, while Team Europe was in third place, behind by more than fifty points.
A great note for the United States is that Adam Rippon was able to edge out Daisuke Takahashi for first place. Plushenko was in third, followed by Takahiko Kozuka, Michal Brezina, and Jeffrey Buttle. In another male bright spot, Takahashi completed an acceptable quad toe loop for the first time since his surgery two years ago.
On the ladies side, reigning world champ Mao Asada fell twice, completely bombing and only coming in fifth place. Joannie Rochette finished first, followed by Miki Ando, Cynthia Phaneuf, Sarah Meier, Asada, and Julia Sebestyen.
*According to news reports, Plushenko sought to be reinstated as an amateur on October 1, the day before the competition. It doesn't appear anything has changed in his status, though.