Hikaru Kobayashi carded a career-best 5-under-par 67 Friday to take a one-shot lead at the end of the opening day of the Golf 5 Ladies tournament.
The 27-year-old Kobayashi, winless in five years on the pro circuit, mixed seven birdies with two bogeys to finish one stroke ahead of Kotomi Akiyama, who shot a 5-under 68 for sole second place.
A further shot off the pace is Chieko Amanuma, third on last year's money list, after a 3-under 69 on a steamy day at the Mizunami Country Club.