Head coach Andy Robinson rested a number of the Glasgow Warriors side that reached the Magners League Play-Offs but one of the Warriors who was involved at Murrayfield wasn't looking for excuses after a disappointing overall performance.
"When we got the ball, we gave it away too cheaply," flanker John Barclay told BBC Scotland.
"And, against a side like Argentina in two weeks' time, if we do that, we will be in a lot of bother.
"It was scrappy, but we came up against a really tenacious and aggressive Japanese team. At the break down, they were more aggressive than us and it made life really difficult for us.
"We got lessons learned as we know it is going to be like that in Argentina."
Barclay was one of the major plus points for the Scots, scoring two of their four tries as he cemented his position in the first-choice back row following a superb Magners League season with Glasgow.
And while he didn't feel Scotland played anywhere near their potential in his first game since Glasgow's Play-Off exit to the Ospreys, the 23-year-old is convinced the match provided good preparation for the two-Test series against the Pumas.
"It's good to get a hit-out," added Barclay.
"Nobody picked up any injuries, but it was good to get the bumps and bruises, because we have not played for a few weeks.
"It was better to get that out now than it would be in the first Test.
"So, there's a few issues to be looked at and resolved, but nothing that can't be fixed."
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