Kawasaki Frontale edged troubled Sanfrecce Hiroshima 1-0 at home on Saturday as J. League top flight action resumed following a two-week international break.
Hiroyuki Abe scored what proved to be the winner shortly before the hour mark in front of 23,209 at Todoroki Stadium to put Kawasaki (25) within six points of league-leading Kashiwa Reysol with a game in hand.
Reysol's eight-match winning streak came to an end after they were held to a 0-0 draw away to Ventforet Kofu.