Yuka Saso fired an eagle-aided 2-under-par 70 to jump for a share of 16th place after two rounds in the 4th Toto Japan Classic at the Seta Golf Course in Shiga Prefecture Friday.
Starting the day at joint 24th after an opening-round 71, Saso shot an eagle three on the 18th to make up for three bogeys.
She also had three birdies for a two-round total of 141, seven strokes behind solo leader Sakura Koiwai.
Koiwai, who opened with a blistering 65 Thursday, continued her rampage with a 69 for a two-round aggregate of 134.
The world No. 68 recovered from two bogeys at the front nine by hitting five birdies on the last eight holes.
Ayaka Furue carded a 67 to trail Koiwai by one stroke, while Ayaka Takahashi (67) and Momoko Ueda (69) were at third and fourth with 136 and 137 totals.
Tied at fifth to ninth with identical 138s were Sumika Nakasone (71), Inami Mone (67), Susuki Ai (70) and Nana Suganuma (70).