Oita Trinita moved back into the top three following a scoreless draw away to struggling Cerezo Osaka on Saturday.
Miguel Angel Lotina's Cerezo looked the more dangerous side at drizzly Yanmar Stadium, but squandered numerous chances and finished a third straight league match without a goal.
The surprise team of the early season, newly promoted Trinita tried to dictate the flow with their passing game, but likewise struggled to find the target.