Tsuneyuki Nakajima, who ended a seven-year title drought this summer, fired a 5-under-par 67 Saturday to take a two-shot lead into the final round of the Mitsui Sumitomo VISA Taiheiyo Maters.
Nakajima began the day one stroke off the pace and dropped a shot in the first five holes before an eagle on the sixth and four birdies from then on moved him to a 14-under 202 total at Taiheiyo Club's Gotemba Course.
U.S.-based Hidemichi Tanaka matched Nakajima with a 67 and climbed into second at 204 in his first appearance in a domestic tournament this year, setting up an enthralling match-up with the tour veteran in the final group of the final round.
Playing with a heavy cold and back pains, Nakajima got going by sinking a 20-footer from the fringe for eagle on the par-5 sixth and followed it up with a birdie from 14 feet on the par-3 next.
The 48-year-old added birdies on 12, 16 and 18 to put himself in position to add a victory to the Diamond Cup he claimed in June for his 46th career title on the tour.
"I'm surprised that I was able to play well with such a heavy cold. One good thing is I don't have a fever," Nakajima said.
"I'm happy with where I am but it's going to be tough tomorrow when you look at the names on the leaderboard. Hidemichi and the others -- they're all in pretty good shape," he said.
Tanaka had his second 67 of the week with six birdies and one bogey in chilly conditions in Shizuoka Prefecture, moving up from sixth to a spot which he said makes him "greedy" for the title.
Aaron Baddeley of Australia (68) and Taichi Teshima (69) followed in a tie for third at 11-under 205, while Shingo Katayama (67) is a further stroke back at 206.