Kawasaki Frontale have retained their J1 League crown -- and made it four triumphs in the past five years -- after wrapping up the title with four games to spare on Wednesday after with a 1-1 draw against Urawa Red Diamonds.
Jesiel sent Frontale on their way with the opening goal in the 33rd minute, before Hiroki Sakai struck a minute from time to earn Urawa a share of the spoils.
Nonetheless, the point was enough to see Kawasaki be crowned champions of Japan in 2021 as second-placed Yokohama F. Marinos fell to a shock 1-0 loss to Gamba Osaka, with Shu Kurata netting the only goal of the game in the 55th minute.
The two results allowed Frontale to establish a now-unassailable 13-point lead at the top of the table, in a season where they have suffered just one defeat in 34 matches so far.
The title triumph mirrors last season's dominance when they ultimately finished 18 points clear of their closest challengers Gamba.
Barring a meltdown over the next four matches, Marinos should wrap up the runners-up berth but a host of sides including Vissel Kobe, Nagoya Grampus, Urawa and Kashima Antlers still have a realistic chance of finishing inside the top four and potentially claiming spots in next season's AFC Champions League.
