Keito Nakamura scored off fellow Japan winger Junya Ito's cross during Reims' 3-1 defeat at Strasbourg in the French Ligue 1 on Saturday.
Nakamura opened the scoring with his third goal of the season in the eighth minute at Stade de la Meinau after Ito sped down the right and floated the ball in for his compatriot to bury a well-taken header.
Strasbourg leveled before the break and scored two more in the second half, however, condemning Reims to their first defeat in five games.
"I've always been hoping to score off one of Junya's crosses, and it was twice as pleasing that it went in so beautifully," Nakamura said. "I believe scoring a goal gives me something to build on for the next game."
In the Dutch Eredivisie, Japan right-back Yukinari Sugawara sparked AZ Alkmaar's 3-2 comeback home win over RKC Waalwijk with his fourth goal of the season.
Sugawara's misplaced pass allowed RKC's David Min to score his second from inside the center circle in the 42nd minute, but he made amends in the 66th minute by blasting into the net from a tight angle before the home team netted twice more to secure the win.
Celtic's Japanese contingent of Reo Hatate and Kyogo Furuhashi got on the scoresheet in a comfortable 3-0 win at home to St. Mirren in the Scottish Premiership.
The versatile Hatate used the outside of his right boot to find the top corner for the 52nd-minute opener, his third goal this term, while forward Furuhashi got his 11th of the campaign as he doubled the lead on the hour mark with a thumping header off Alistair Johnston's cross.
In the English Premier League, Daiki Hashioka scored his second own goal in three games during Luton's 5-1 loss at Manchester City after Erling Haaland's wayward volley hit the defender's face and found the net for the second-minute opener.
Related coverage:
Football: Ko Itakura bags 3rd goal of season as Gladbach beat Wolfsburg
Football: Japan suffer 2-1 defeat against U.S. at SheBelieves Cup
Football: Hashioka's own goal contributes to Luton's defeat
