Just over half of the season remains, but it appears to be a six-team title race.
Those six all have at least five more wins than losses, while the other dozen first-division clubs don't.
Atop the chart are the Tochigi Brex and Chiba Jets Funabashi (both at 24-5), followed by the Ryukyu Golden Kings (21-8), defending champion Alvark Tokyo and Niigata Albirex BB (identical 19-10 records) and the Kawasaki Brave Thunders (17-12).