BUDAPEST, April 17 (Xinhua) -- Japan, Italy and host Hungary defeated their respective opponents at the 2013 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship Division I Group A in Budapest on Wednesday.

Japan beat South Korea 6-5 (1-0, 3-3, 2-2), Italy defeated Britain 5-1 (1-1, 1-0, 3-0), while host Hungary beat Kazakhstan 2- 1 (0-0, 1-1, 1-0) in the group stage.

Italy earned 9 points in the three games to lead the group, getting closer to the return to the top division. Hungary's victory was its first-ever win against Kazakhstan, moving it to the second place with 7 points. Kazakhstan is on the third with 6.

The competition kicked off on Sunday, and will conclude on Saturday.