The first half produced little in the way of clear chances, but the second exploded into life. Virgil van Dijk headed the Dutch into the lead just after the restart, converting a Ryan Gravenberch cross for his first goal at a major international tournament.
Japan responded within seven minutes through Keito Nakamura, whose effort deflected off Jan Paul van Hecke and beyond goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen. Crysencio Summerville then appeared to have won it for the Netherlands with a fine left-footed finish into the far corner, only for Japan to find a route back into the game deep into stoppage time.
An 88th-minute corner caused chaos in the Dutch box, with Kento Shiogai's header deflecting off Daichi Kamada and beyond Verbruggen to complete a remarkable late leveller and secure a point for the Samurai Blue.
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live from Dallas Stadium, former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson described the contest as a perfect snapshot of what supporters can expect from this tournament.
"Cracking game. A great example of what this World Cup is going to be about. There's two teams here that will get out of this group. Two very contrasting styles."
Robinson noted the gulf in emotions between the two benches at the final whistle, despite the shared scoreline.
"The Dutch players beneath us look disappointed, they took the lead and thought they had it won. There's two very different sets of emotions, the Dutch look dejected and the Japan players are celebrating. They know this could be a good year for them."
He pointed to Japan's history of troubling bigger nations at major tournaments as evidence that Sunday's result was no fluke.
"They bloodied the noses of England, Brazil and other big nations. And they've done it again today against a good Dutch side that could go deep in the competition."
Robinson's assessment of Hajime Moriyasu's side carried a clear message for the rest of Group F and beyond.
"Japan have shown again why many people are talking about them as dark horses. They're a solid unit, a together unit, a team that understand the tactics a manager wants and they're very well drilled and effective at what they do."
For Ronald Koeman's Netherlands, the result leaves work to do against Sweden and Tunisia in their remaining group fixtures, knowing that two leads were not enough to secure victory. For Japan, the manner of the comeback — their latest World Cup goal on record — suggests a side capable of producing more moments like it before the tournament is through.