Josh Kennedy struck twice in the second half as champions Nagoya Grampus came from behind to beat Kawasaki Frontale 2-1 in midweek J.League action on Wednesday.
Dragan Stojkovic's side kept up with J1 leaders Gamba Osaka, who defeated Kashiwa Reysol 2-0 in a top-of-the-table clash at Expo '70 Stadium.
Junpei Kusukami netted for Frontale, who now have lost six in a row.
Grampus had their 16-game unbeaten run ended in Nagoya by Vegalta Sendai last weekend, falling a point behind Gamba and Kashiwa in the championship race.
Nagoya rode into Todoroki with hopes of quickly getting back on the winning track against Kawasaki, which has been in miserable form of late.
Both sides, however, labored through the first half in the peppering rain and it wasn't until the 66th minute that Kusukami emerged with the first goal of the game.