Levir Culpi's side finished runners up in J.League Division 2 last season but have proved they deserve their place in the top flight with their 10th win of the season that also brought an end to Kashima's unbeaten home record.

Takashi Inui scored the only goal of the game with an angled drive in the 55th minute to secure all three points for Cerezo.

The win was Cerezo's fourth in five games and sees them move above Kashima on goal difference and puts them just two points behind leaders Nagoya Grampus.

Elsewhere, second-half goals from Kota Hattori and Hisato Sato secured a 2-0 win for Sanfrecce Hiroshima against FC Tokyo at Arjinomoto Stadium while Cho Young-cheol took his tally to 10 goals for the season with a brace as Alibrex Niigata beat Kawasaki Frontale 2-1.

Finally, Edmilson scored a late double as Urawa Reds eased to a 4-1 win at Shonan Bellmare and Yokohama F Marinos won 2-1 against Kyoto Sanga.