Marcus Tulio Tanaka's back-post header gave the hosts the lead after 17 minutes and Danilson added the second in the 68th minute when he beat keeper Ryota Tsuzuki with a low drive from 25 yards that found the bottom corner.

Yutuka Tahara pulled a goal back for Shonan 11 minutes later when he latched onto a long ball and fired home an angled drive but Nagoya held on to take the points and remain third in the table.

At the other end, Kyoto Purple Sanga remain bottom following a 4-0 drubbing at the hands of Urawa Reds.

Following a goalless first half, the visitors went in front eight minutes into the second period through Wilfried Sanou before further goals from Robson Ponte, Edmilson and Tomoya Ugajin completed a comfortable victory for Urawa.

Elsewhere, Aria Hasegawa's last-minute effort denied Omiya Ardija three points as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Yokohama F Marinos. Kazuhiro Murakami had netted for Omiya in the 86th minute.

Gamba Osaka won 3-1 at Vissel Kobe, while FC Tokyo drew 1-1 with Jubilo Iwata and the match between Montedio Yamagata and Kawasaki Frontale ended goalless.