TOKYO — World champion Mao Asada produced a season-best score Friday to take the lead after the short program of the NHK Trophy.

Skating to Clair de Lune, Asada hit all her jumps at Yoyogi Arena to receive 64.64 points and finish ahead of American Ashley Wagner, who was second with 61.52 points.

"It was my best performance of the season," Asada said. "In practice, I focused on hitting my jumps and was able to do that. After I hit my first two jumps, I was a bit nervous and that affected my spiral sequence."

Asada finished second in the Trophee Bompard in Paris and is looking to secure a spot in the Grand Prix finals with a first- or second-place finish in the NHK Trophy, the last opportunity to qualify for the finals in December.

"I was a bit nervous today," Asada said. "I hope I can relax and be aggressive tomorrow in the free program."

South Korean Kim Yu-na, Canada's Joannie Rochette and Italy's Carolina Kostner have already secured places in the GP finals, leaving three spots to be decided in Japan.

Finland's Laura Lepisto, also aiming to secure a place in the finals, was third with 59.14 points. Asada's compatriot Yukari Nakano, a silver medalist at Skate America, was only able to manage a double flip instead of a triple on her opening element and finished fifth with 54.82 points.

American Mirai Nagasu, the U.S. national champion, stepped out of her opening lutz and had to settle for eighth place with 50.14 points.

"Even though I popped the jump and got it downgraded, I was happy with my performance," Nagasu said. "I skated with all my heart and gave it my best."

In the men's short program, Japan's Nobunari Oda hit all his jumps, including four triples, to finish in first place with 81.63 points.

"I was more nervous before today's competition than any other in my career," Oda said. "My practice this morning was not good and this gave me a bit of anxiety."

Oda is coming off a one-year suspension after sitting out last season for a drunk driving arrest.

World bronze medalist Johnny Weir of the United States skated a clean program to finish second with 78.15 points, with France's Yannick Ponsero third after receiving 74.39 points from the judges.

"It was a big improvement over Skate America," said Weir, who won the silver there. "I felt comfortable on the ice, which is a bit of a surprise because I have a terrible cold. It's not the best I can do but considering my condition I did a good job."

China's Pang Qing and Tong Jian were first in the pairs after the free skate with 63.10 points. Americans Rena Inoue and John Baldwin were second followed by Canadians Jessica Dube and Bryce Davison.

Italy's Federica Faiella and Massimo Scali took the lead in ice dancing after the compulsory and original events with 89.31 points. France's Nathalie Pechalat and Fabian Bourzat were second with 87.47 points.