Takuya Nozawa struck for the hosts with a header after just eight minutes and added a second shortly after the half-hour mark with a fierce drive from the edge of the box. Marquinhos then made sure of the points with 16 minutes remaining.

Nagoya Grampus climbed to second as goals in each half from Josh Kennedy and Danilson were enough to see off Yokohama F Marinos.

Cerezo Osaka moved fourth following a 3-0 win at Jubilo Iwata as Daisuke Takahashi, Taka Inui and Adriano's goals did the damage.

At the other end of the table, lowly Omiya Ardija took the Saitama derby spoils with a 1-0 win at Urawa Reds. Brazilian striker Rafael proved the hero, lashing home a loose ball after 28 minutes that proved enough to seal the points.

Finally, goals from Kisho Yano and Isao Homma saw Albirex Niigata edge out FC Tokyo 2-1.