Daigo Nishi and Brazilian striker Michael were on target as resurgent Albirex Niigata shattered Shimizu S-Pulse's unbeaten start to the J. League season with a 2-0 win on Saturday.
S-Pulse remained top of the table with 24 points from 11 games, although they could see their lead cut to two points if Nagoya Grampus win at Vegalta Sendai on Sunday.
Elsewhere, Kazuma Watanabe scored twice as Yokohama F. Marinos won 3-2 away to Urawa Reds, while Yoshito Okubo sent national team manager Takeshi Okada a timely reminder ahead of Monday's World Cup squad announcement with a stunning strike to help Vissel Kobe beat Jubilo Iwata 3-0.