Japan's Shiho Oyama shared the top spot with compatriots Mamiko Higa and Yuki Ichinose on Saturday, all three holding a one-shot lead after the second round of the $US1.2 million ($A1.27 million) LPGA Mizuno Classic.
Oyama, who started the day with a one-shot lead, shot her second straight 68 at the Kintetsu Kashikojima Country Club in the central Japanese city of Shima to finish tied at eight-under for the tournament with Higa and Ichinose, who both shot 66s.
Asako Fujimoto was tied with American Brittany Lincicome for fourth place at 7-under. Fujimoto shot a 67 while Lincicome, a five-time career winner with three top-10 finishes this season, had a 68.
South Korean Chella Choi and Jang Eun-Bi both shot 69s and were another shot back in a tie for sixth place with Japan's Junko Omote (69) and Japan tour regular Teresa Lu (68) of Taiwan.
Defending champion Stacy Lewis of the United States stayed within striking distance by shooting a 68 to sit three shots behind the leaders in the fifth and final stop on the US LPGA Tour's late-season Asian swing.
Japan's Yumiko Yoshida shot the low score of the day, a 7-under 65, to join Lewis at 5-under. Also in that group are Japan's Miki Saiki (66), American Julieta Granada (68) and South Korea's Hwang Ah-Reum (68).
Last year, world No.3 Lewis came from seven shots back to win by one stroke on the final day of the tournament, co-sanctioned by the US and Japan tours.
The host nation is looking for its 10th title in the 41-year history of the tournament, and first since Momoko Ueda won the second of her two crowns in 2011.
By filling four of the top five spots, the prospects of a Japanese player taking home the $US180,000 ($A191,000) top prize were good.
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