Kashima Antlers fell off the top of the J. League first division table after the champions lost 2-1 to Vissel Kobe on Sunday, while Urawa Reds and Gamba Osaka both climbed above them by a point.
An own goal and Kazuma Watanabe's header in the 14th minute forced Kashima into fighting an uphill battle. Antlers pulled one back late through Leandro, but despite five minutes of injury time, the Club World Cup finalists failed to take any points.
Kashima stands on 21 points from 11 games, while Urawa, on 22 points, grabbed six goals from five different scorers and an own goal in a 6-1 hammering away to Albirex Niigata. The home side had opened the scoring in the second minute through Musashi Suzuki but dropped to the bottom of the table.