Ryang Yong-gi put Vegalta ahead in the 22nd minute but Josh Kennedy equalised from the penalty spot just before the hour mark and Yoshizumi Ogawa scored the winner two minutes from time.

The win lifted Nagoya nine points clear of second-placed Kashima Antlers, who could only draw 1-1 with Shimizu S-Pulse.

Kashima fell behind to a Shinji Ono goal in the 11th minute but Oswaldo Oliveira's side equalised through Daiki Iwamasa eight minutes into the second half.

Elsewhere, Cerezo Osaka ended a run of three games without victory as they beat Albirex Niigata 2-1 to climb up to third while fourth-placed Gamba Osaka lost 2-1 at Montedio Yamagata.

Urawa Reds edged Omiya Ardija 2-1 to extend their unbeaten run to seven games while Kawasaki Frontale claimed a resounding 4-0 win over Vissel Kobe.

Finally, Sanfrecce Hiroshima won 3-0 at Kyoto Sanga.