Midfielder Yoshizumi Ogawa converted Josh Kennedy's pass in the 23rd minute before the Australia forward found the back of the net six minutes before the break to put Nagoya in control.

Substitute Kensuke Nagai added the third in the stoppage time as they moved a point ahead of Kashiwa Reysol.

Gamba Osaka lie third, two points behind Nagoya after they drew 1-1 at city rivals Cerezo.

Following a goalless first half, Cerezo took the lead in the 76th minute when Kim Bo-kyung received the ball from Shu Kurata and fired home from the right side.

Gamba, though, levelled three minutes later when Sota Nakazawa headed home Yasuhito Endo's cross.

"That was a game we wanted to win," said Gamba boss Akira Nishino.

"But we didn't have many opportunities to switch our offense on in the first-half. I also was rather hesitant to make substitutions because of the depth of our bench."

Cerezo manager Levir Culpi said: "I think the result is fair for both sides. Gamba had a good spell early in the first-half but we started playing better from halfway through. The second half was even for both sides."

Fourth-placed Yokohama F Marinos missed the chance to go top after they lost 2-0 at Vissel Kobe.

Former Japan forward Yoshito Okubo slotted home Park Kang-jo's pass in the 34th minute and Brazilian forward Popo wrapped up the points two minutes from time.

Shimizu S-Pulse recorded a 3-0 home win over Omiya Ardija. Takuma Edamura nudged home Naohiro Takahara's cross at the far post in the 48th minute and Shinji Ono fired home a Kosuke Ota pass six minutes later. Takahara struck the third in the 78th minute.

Kashima Antlers edged out hosts Vegalta Sendai 1-0 thanks to Fellype Gabriel's 29th-minute penalty, while Montedio Yamagata came from behind to beat visiting Ventforet Kofu 3-1.

Kazuya Maeda cancelled out Paulinho's 32nd-minute opener with a strike five minutes later before Masato Yamazaki put the hosts ahead in the 55th minute and added another in the 87th minute.