Thailand suffered another heavy defeat in their World Cup qualifying campaign on Tuesday when they were beaten 4-0 by Japan in Saitama.
Shinji Kagawa opened the floodgates after eight minutes and Shinji Okazaki (19), Yuya Kubo (57) and Maya Yoshida (83) added a further three goals.
With the win, Japan move closer to their sixth consecutive World Cup appearance.
They have 16 points from seven games in Group B of Asia's final qualifying stage for the 2018 World Cup.
Australia have 13 points after defeating the United Arab Emirates 2-0 in Sydney.
Saudi Arabia (13 points) hosted Iraq (four) early this morning.
The UAE have nine points, while Thailand have one and are still seeking their first win of the ongoing qualifying round.
The top two teams of Group A and Group B earn tickets to Russia 2018. The two third-place teams meet in a play-off with the winner facing a Concacaf side for another berth.
"I apologise to Thai fans [for the heavy defeat]. Japan are stronger. Our players gave their all. We conceded two goals in the first half from their only two clear chances,'' said Thailand coach Kiastisak Senamuang whose team lost 3-0 to Saudi Arabia in Bangkok on Thursday.
Thailand midfielder Chanathip Songkrasin will join J-League side Consadole Sapporo on loan from Thai champions SCG Muang Thong United later this year, and he got a taste of Japanese football last night.
He said the Blue Samurai were much stronger than the War Elephants, and admitted that he and teammates would need to improve to reach the level of their opponents.
"We have learned lessons. My teammates and myself have to develop to become better,'' said Chanathip.
Leicester City's Okazaki celebrated his 50th international goal after Kagawa had given the hosts the lead with a sharp finish.
And it was in swashbuckling style that Okazaki brought up his half-century with an acrobatic a diving header.
Okazaki's landmark goal, on his 108th Japan appearance, effectively killed the contest.
Kubo and Yoshida added to the Blue Samurai's tally after the break, and Eiji Kawashima saved a late penalty from Kraison Adisak to deny rock-bottom Thailand any kind of consolation.
It was Japan's second win over Thailand in the Group B fixtures having won 2-0 in Bangkok last year.
In Sydney, Australia defeated the United Arab Emirates 2-0, ending a run of four draws to get their qualification attempt for the 2018 World Cup back on track.
However, the UAE's second loss in five days prompted coach Mahdi Ali, who took charge in 2012, to announce his resignation at the post-match news conference.
Goals in each half from Jackson Irvine and Mathew Leckie sealed the vital win for the Socceroos, who had slipped into third place in Group B behind Saudi Arabia and Japan after four successive draws.
"It was just about remaining calm and taking our chances," said Australia skipper Mile Jedinak.
"It really helps our chances [of qualifying] but there's plenty of business to be done."
Lax marking at a seventh-minute corner gave Irvine a free header that took a deflection on its way into the net.
While the UAE threatened at times through 2016 Asian player of the year Omar Abdulrahman, they struggled to create enough clear chances to seriously worry the Asian champions.
With 12 minutes remaining Leckie headed home a James Troisi cross to give Australia three points that kept alive hope of a fourth successive World Cup appearance.