Unbeaten in their last eight J.League matches, Urawa consolidated themselves in the top-three with goals from Tsukasa Umesaki, Tadaaki Hirakawa, Genki Haraguchi and Yosuke Kashiwagi.

Umesaki set the hosts on their way seven minutes into the game and the score remained the same until the second half but three goals in the space of four minutes had Urawa on course for a comprehensive victory.

Hirakawa was first up on 50 minutes, Haraguchi was next two minutes later and Kashiwagi added a fourth in the 54th.

However, Sagan ensured there was a nervy finish with three quick-fire goals courtesy of a Min-Woo Kim brace and a Naoyuki Fujita strike.

Kim netted Sagan's first after 67 minutes, while Fujita tucked away their second only seconds later and Kim closed the gap to just one goal three minutes later.

Despite all their efforts, Sagan were unable to find an elusive equaliser as Urawa hung on for all three points.

Meanwhile, a Lucas double inspired FC Tokyo to a 3-2 win and condemned struggling Gamba Osaka to their third defeat in five outings, meaning they are still five points adrift of safety.

 In other results on Saturday, table-topping Vegalta Sendai maintained their two-point lead with a 1-0 victory against Vissel Kobe, Jubilo Iwata fell lost 2-0 at second-placed Sanfrecce Hiroshima and Josh Kennedy found the back of the net for the first time in 10 games as Nagoya Grampus beat Kashiwa Reysol 2-1 on the road.

Cellar-dwellers Consadole Sapporo suffered an eighth successive J-League defeat with a disappointing 1-0 loss against fellow relegation candidates Albirex Niigata, Kashima Antlers edged Omiya Ardija 1-0, visiting Cerezo Osaka held Yokohama F. Marinos to a 1-1 draw, while the match between Shimizu S-Pulse and Kawasaki Frontale ended goalless.