Kim leads by one shot in Japan

She leads fellow South Korean stars Grace Park and Gloria Park.

Kim's bogey-free round included seven birdies, including six in a row from the fifth hole on the par-72, 6,450-yard Seta Golf course.

Another Korean, Ko Woo-Soon, was bunched with Japan's Hiromi Kobayashi and Lorie Kane of Canada, all two off the pace on 67.

Defending champion Annika Sorenstam of Sweden, who has already secured top spot in the US tour money rankings with nine titles this season, shot a 69 to be tied with 11 other golfers, four off the pace.

Scotland's Janice Moodie rattled in six birdies for a three-under par 69.

But Laura Davies, twice a runner-up in this event, was very disappointing, managing a 73.