Romania’s Simona Halep tops the table ahead of second-placed Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark with Germany’s Angelique Kerber holding onto third place.
Osaka, aged 20, who reached the semi-finals of the China Open last week, moves up from sixth to fourth place on 4,770 points and is closing in on Kerber, who has 5,400 points.
The rising Japanese star become only the second Asian woman to win a Grand Slam singles title with last month’s stunning win over Serena Williams in the US Open final.
Latest WTA rankings:
Simona Halep (ROU) 7421 pts
Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) 6490
Angelique Kerber (GER) 5400
Naomi Osaka (JPN) 4770 (+2)
Elina Svitolina (UKR) 4350
Karolina Pliskova (CZE) 4345 (+1)
Petra Kvitova (CZE) 4255 (-3)
Sloane Stephens (USA) 4022 (+1)
Julia Goerges (GER) 3785 (+1)
Kiki Bertens (NED) 3740 (+1)
Aryna Sabalenka (BLR) 3265 (+5)
Anastasija Sevastova (LAT) 3240 (+8)
Garbine Muguruza (ESP) 3170 (+2)
Daria Kasatkina (RUS) 3150 (-2)
Elise Mertens (BEL) 3115 (-1)
Caroline Garcia (FRA) 3045 (-8)
Serena Williams (USA) 2976
Jelena Ostapenko (LAT) 2863 (-5)
Madison Keys (USA) 2816 (-1)
Ashleigh Barty (AUS) 2605 (-1)
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