The win gave Japan five wins and a draw in Asian qualifying Group C and took them to within touching distance of a place at the 2026 World Cup.
The top two teams in each of the three groups will reach the showpiece in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Japan are at home to Bahrain and Saudi Arabia in their next fixtures in March.
China gave a much-improved performance after losing 7-0 to Japan in Saitama in their opening group game.
They have six points from six games and are still in the hunt for a place at their first World Cup since 2002.
Japan made several changes to the team that beat Indonesia 4-0 in Jakarta on Friday with Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma and Crystal Palace’s Daichi Kamada among those dropping to the bench.
Ogawa opened the scoring in the 39th minute, planting a firm header past goalkeeper Wang Dalei direct from a corner.
Japan doubled their lead just before the half-time whistle and again it came from a corner.
Koki Machida flicked on Junya Ito’s delivery and Itakura was unmarked at the back post to nod the ball home.
China found the perfect reply to start the second half when Lin pulled a goal back for the hosts.
Xie Wenneng cleverly dummied Wei Shihao’s pass and Lin slotted the ball past goalkeeper Zion Suzuki.
China’s joy lasted just six minutes before Ogawa headed in another Ito cross to restore Japan’s two-goal cushion.
