Yokohama F Marinos sorely missed captain Shunsuke Nakamura as the J1 leaders went down 2-1 at the hands of Nagoya Grampus on Sunday.
Goals from Josh Kennedy and Jungo Fujimoto consigned Marinos to their first defeat in seven games, allowing champions Sanfrecce Hiroshima to pull within two points of the top spot with three matches left to play.
Urawa Reds, level on points with Hiroshima who drew 1-1 at newly crowned Nabisco Cup champions Kashiwa Reysol, are away to Vegalta Sendai later Sunday.