JEF United Chiba eased the pressure on coach Amar Osim by hammering visiting Yokohama FC 4-0 to register their first league win of the season on Sunday.
Koki Mizuno set Chiba on their way with a 28th-minute drive at Fukuda Denshi Arena and Japan striker Seiichiro Maki netted his first J. League goal since last September to make it 2-0 midway through the first half.
Kohei Kudo's chip appeared to have been turned in by Yokohama's Takanori Nakajima, but Maki was credited with the goal that put home side firmly in control.
Naotake Hanyu added a third and Mizuno set up Satoru Yamagishi to wrap up the win 16 minutes from time and lift Chiba up to 13th place in the table after five matches played.
Shimizu S-Pulse moved into fourth, level on 12 points with Nagoya Grampus Eight, after goals from former Japan international Daisuke Ichikawa and Cho Jae Jin gave the Shizuoka side a 2-0 win at home to Oita Trinita.
Nagoya and Gamba Osaka both saw their perfect records ended and Kashiwa Reysol capitalized to go top with a 2-0 win at Yokohama F Marinos in Saturday's games.