Reigning champions Kashima extended their unbeaten run to seven games as they saw off JEF United 2-0 with goals from Takuya Nozawa and Mitsuo Ogasawara.

Nozawa opened the scoring after 16 minutes when he slotted home a shot from the edge of the box, before Ogasawara sealed the win from the penalty spot six minutes into the second half.

The win moved the six-time J.League winners onto 20 points, ahead of Urawa Reds on goal difference only after Volke Finke's side beat Albirex Niigata 1-0 with almost the last kick of the game.

Urawa outclassed their opponents throughout, but even after Marcio Richardes was sent off in the 61st minute the hosts had to wait until stoppage time for Marcus Tanaka to open the scoring.

"We deserved the victory as we created more chances. On top of that, our players never gave up to the very end of the game, showing a strong mentality," said Urawa manager Finke.

Grampus Eight remain three points back in third after they beat hosts Kyoto Sanga 1-0 thanks to Brazilian forward Davi's 42nd-minute goal.

Nagoya have been unbeaten for the last four matches.

South Korean forward Cho Jae Jin struck twice in the second half as Gamba Osaka came from behind to beat Oita Trinita 3-1 and remain in fourth.

In Tokyo, Naohiro Ishikawa scored a hat-trick to help FC Tokyo beat Omiya Ardija 3-2 at home, while Jubilo Iwata beat Vissel Kobe 1-0 thanks to Ryoichi Maeda's 39th minute goal.

Elsewhere Yokohama F. Marinos beat Kawasaki Frontale 2-1, Montedio Yamagata and Kashiwa Reysol drew 0-0, and Sanfrecce Hiroshima and Shimizu S-Pulse also played out a goalless draw.