The 28-year-old, a three-time Olympic medallist, had already matched his haul of three gold medals from Almaty 2011.

He had emerged as the victor in the 5,000 metres, 10,000m and team pursuit competitions at the Obihiro Forest Speed Skating Rink, but had set his sights on securing a seventh Asian Winter Games title.

Lee would achieve a time of 8min 12.72sec to win the mass start competition, rounding off a stunning Games for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic gold medallist.

His closest challenger was Shane Williamson, the 21-year-old Japanese-Australian speed skater, who finished in 8:13.25.

It would be a quick enough time for the skater to win the silver medal for the host nation.

South Korea's Kim Min-Seok claimed the bronze medal by completing the event in 8:13.69.

Kim had tasted success earlier in the day, when he recorded an Asian record time of 1:46.26 to win the men’s 1,500m event.

He narrowly held off the challenge of two Japanese skaters, Takura Oda and Taro Kondo.

The duo would complete the podium places by achieving times of 1:46.74 and 1:47.88 respectively in the event.

The Japanese team would not be denied in the women’s mass start, as the host nation finished in first and second place.

Miho Takagi led the way by finishing in a time of 8:21.81, which secured her fourth gold of the Games, matching Lee in the men’s field.

Takagi would end ahead of her compatriot Ayano Sato, who ended as the silver medal winning in a time of 8:21.88.

South Korea's Kim Bo-reum rounded off the medal places by finishing in 8:47.46.

Takagi’s four gold medals helped Japan dominate women’s speed skating events at the Games, with the nation winning six of the seven titles on offer.

South Korea secure five of the men’s golds, with Lee having been involved in four.

China and Japan both earned one gold apiece.