Taichi Teshima shot a no-bogey 7-under-par 65 on Thursday to share a one-stroke lead with Ryoken Kawagishi after the first round of the 100 million yen ANA Open golf tournament in Hokkaido.
Australian Paul Sheehan forged a 66 to stand alone in third place, while veteran Katsuyoshi Tomori fashioned a 67 and is in a five-way tie for fifth, including Tsuyoshi Yoneyama.
Frankie Minoza of the Philippines had a 68 to stand another stroke back with two others.
Hideto Tanihara and eight others had 69s to share 12th, while defending champion Masashi "Jumbo" Ozaki shot a 70 and is in a huge group tied for 21st, which includes Yusaku Miyazato and Nobuhito Sato.