The 1.2 million dollar tournament, one of the richest events on the Japanese tour, was a calmer place the day after 17-year US phenomenon Michelle Wie missed the cut in her 12th attempt at men's tournaments.

She finished 100th in a field of 101 with a two-round total of 17-over-par 161.

The 34-year-old Singh, who has won 11 events on the Asian tour since turning pro in 1993, went out one stroke behind the Japanese and birdied on the ninth, 10th and final holes on the 7,235-yard Kuroshio Country Club course.

He shared the lead with Haraguchi with a three-round total of 12-under-par 204.

Haraguchi, 32, chasing his first-ever win in his 10 years on the Japanese tour, shot three birdies against one bogey to stay atop the leaderboard for three straight rounds.

New Zealander David Smail, a regular on the Japanese tour, was tied in third spot with Japan's Toshinori Muto and Hideki Kase at 206, two shots behind the leaders.