Urawa Reds booked their place in the J. League Championship title match after drawing 1-1 with Yokohama F. Marinos on Thursday to finish top of the overall table.
Reds, who began the day one point ahead of second-place Kawasaki Frontale, suddenly found themselves needing to beat Marinos after Frontale took an early 2-0 lead against Gamba Osaka in a game being played simultaneously.
But a 66th-minute strike from Urawa midfielder Yosuke Kashiwagi eased the nerves among the 56,841-strong Saitama Stadium crowd before Frontale conceded three quick-fire goals against Gamba to give Reds further breathing space.