I'm confident for the next round. I'm going to work on my putting now,' said the 21-year-old, who has won five titles in India and one on Asian Tour this season.

Maruyama pulled one shot clear of the chasing pack give himself a chance of ending a frustrating four-year title drought. The 39-year-old carded a solid five-under-par 66 at the Joyo Country Club to lead by one stroke from unheralded Korean Kim Hyung-sung, who stayed in the title hunt with a 68.

Thai star Prayad Marksaeng produced a blistering inward 30 as he charged into contention with a 67 and will enter the weekend rounds two shots off the pace alongside Japan's Taichi Teshima and Toru Suzuki, who carded a 66 and 64 respectively.

Co-overnight leaders Lam Chih Bing of Singapore and Chinese ace Liang Wen-chong, Asia's number one in 2007, shot 72 and 70 respectively to stay three back in the $1.5 million event sanctioned by the Asian Tour and Japan Golf Tour.

The 38-year-old Maruyama, who won the Asian Tour Qualifying School this year, mixed six birdies against a lone bogey to move into pole position. He credited a new fitness regime and proper dieting for his good run of form where he was second and eighth in his last two tournaments in Japan.

Teenage star Ryo Ishikawa, currently Japan's number one following three victories, battled to a 73, which included an ugly triple bogey, to make the halfway cut which was set at four-over-par 146. Ishikawa is tied 51st.