Lee is just three shots behind Americans Jacob Bridgeman and Keith Mitchell after carding a second consecutive four-under 67 on Friday to sit joint seventh at eight under par after two rounds.
The 28-year-old Lee repeated his first-round effort of six birdies offset by two bogeys to close the gap on the leading pair.
Scott also made a move on Friday. After opening with a two-under 69, he improved with a four-under 67 in the second round that included six birdies.
The 46-year-old stumbled early on Friday with a bogey on the second, before finishing the front nine strongly with birdies at the fourth, fifth, seventh and eighth.
Scott also birdied the 13th and 17th, before giving a shot back with a bogey at the par-4 last.
His rounds of 69 and 67 have him at six under for the tournament, sitting five shots off the pace in a share of 13th.
Mitchell shot a six-under 65 on Friday to catch up with first-round leader Bridgeman.
After opening with an eight-under 63, Bridgeman finished with a second-round 68 on a sunny day at the Yokohama Country Club.
The co-leaders were two shots clear of a group of four including another American, Ben Kohles, who had a nine-under 62, the low round of the day.
Also two shots off the lead were fellow Americans Mac Meissner (68), Max Homa (68) and Zack Bouchou (64),
The PGA Tour's lone stop in Asia features its strongest field of the FedEx Cup Fall series, including 13 of the 24 players who competed in the Presidents Cup two weeks ago at Medinah in the Chicago suburbs.
Scott and Lee represented the Internationals at the Presidents Cup, while Bridgeman was one of the shining lights for the victorious Team USA.
Japan's top star, Hideki Matsuyama, shot a one-over 72 on Friday and was eight shots off the lead. American Xander Schauffele carded a 69 and was also eight shots back.
The Baycurrent Classic, formerly known as the Zozo Championship, is co-sanctioned by the PGA Tour and the Japan Golf Tour.
- with AP
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