Azuma Yano, Hidemasa Hoshino and Kim Hyung-sung all posted six-under-par rounds of 66 to set the early pace at the Mynavi ABC Championship in Kato City.

Hoshino produced a bogey-free effort at ABC Golf Club and both Yano and Korean golfer Kim dropped solitary strokes while carding seven birdies.

They lead Katsumasa Miyamoto and teenage star Ryo Ishikawa by two strokes after the Japanese duo signed for rounds of 68.

A group of eight players that include American Brandt Jobe are a shot further back on three under.