J.League
J. League 2008
Founded
1992
Inaugural Season
1993
Nation
Japan
Relegation To
Japan Football League (promotion only)
Number of Teams
J1: 18 clubs J2: 15 clubs
Asian & World Qualification
Asian Champions League A3 Champions Cup FIFA Club World Cup
Domestic Cups
Yamazaki Nabisco Cup Emperor's Cup
Defending Champions (2007)
J1: Kashima Antlers J2: Consadole Sapporo
Most Successful Club
Kashima Antlers (5 Times J1 Champions)
Website
Official Website {English} Official Website {Japanese}

The Japan Professional Football League (日本プロサッカーリーグ, Nippon Puro Sakkā Rīgu^?), or J.League (Jリーグ, J Rīgu^?), is the top professional football (soccer) league in Japan and one of the most successful leagues in Asian club football. Currently, J. League Division 1 and 2 falls in to level 1 and level 2 of the Japanese football league system. Image File history File links Current_sport. ... Year 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 1993 (MCMXCIII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1993 Gregorian calendar). ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Japan. ... The Japan Football League ) is the 3rd tier of the Japanese football heararchy following J. League division 1 and 2. ... The AFC Champions League is an annual international inter-club football competition between the champions and cup winners of the top 14 Asian leagues. ... A3 Champions Cup (also known as East Asian Champions Cup) is annual event involving the league champions of China, Japan and South Korea. ... The FIFA Club World Cup, formerly known as the FIFA Club World Championship, is a football competition contested between the champion clubs from all 6 continental confederations, although since 2007 the champions of Oceania must play a qualifying play-off against the champion club of the host country. ... the 2005 final J. League Cup is a Japanese football (soccer) competition organised by J. League. ... Emperors Cup logo The Emperors Cup All-Japan Soccer Championship Tournament ), commonly known as The Emperors Cup ), is a Japanese football competition. ... Kashima Antlers ) is a J. League team. ... Consadole Sapporo (Japanese: コンサドーレ札幌) is a Japanese professional soccer (football) club, currently playing in the J-league Division 2. ... Kashima Antlers ) is a J. League team. ... Soccer redirects here. ... The Japanese football league system is, like football league systems in most of the world, organized in a pyramidal shape. ...

[edit] The League history

[edit] Phases of the League

[edit] Before the Pro League Era (-1992)

Before the inception of the J. League, the highest level of club football was the Japan Soccer League (JSL), and it consisted of amateur clubs. Fans were few, the grounds were not of the highest quality, and the Japanese national team was not on a par with the Asian powerhouses. To raise the level of play domestically, to attempt to garner more fans, and to strengthen the national team, the Japan Football Association (JFA) decided to form a professional league. Japan Soccer League ), or JSL, was the top flight soccer league in Japan between 1965 and 1992, and was the precursor to the current professional league, the J. League. ... The Japan Football Association (JFA) is the governing body responsible for the administration of football (soccer) in Japan. ...

The professional football league, J. League was formed in 1992, with eight clubs drawn from the JSL First Division, one from the Second Division, and the newly formed Shimizu S-Pulse. At the same time, JSL changed its name and became the Japan Football League (former), a semi-professional league. Although the J. League did not officially launch until 1993, the Yamazaki Nabisco Cup competition was held between the ten clubs in 1992 to prepare for the inaugural season. Shimizu S-Pulse(清水エスパルス) is a J. League team. ... The former Japan Football League ) was a football (soccer) league that existed from 1992 to 1998. ... the 2005 final J. League Cup is a Japanese football (soccer) competition organised by J. League. ...

[edit] The inaugural season, and the J. League boom (1993-1995)

J.League officially kicked-off its first season with ten clubs on May 15, 1993 as Verdy Kawasaki (current, Tokyo Verdy) played host to Yokohama Marinos (current, Yokohama F. Marinos) at the Kasumigaoka National Stadium. It made a huge impact on the Japanese sports culture as professional baseball, golf, and sumo were the only well-supported and widely-watched sports in the country. Many famous and post-peak foreign players were brought into the clubs and the stadiums were filling in. On every matchday, at least one game was broadcast live on national TV, and it seemed the league was a huge success. In the second season (1994), the league recorded its highest average attendance of 19,598, which is yet to be broken. is the 135th day of the year (136th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1993 (MCMXCIII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1993 Gregorian calendar). ... Tokyo Verdy 1969 is a football team which plays Japans J. League. ... Tokyo Verdy 1969 (東京ヴェルディ1969) is a football team which plays Japans J. League. ... Yokohama F.Marinos is a Japanese football team which participates in the professional J. League. ... Yokohama F. Marinos ) is a Japanese football team which participates in the professional J. League. ... National Olympic Stadium, Tokyo National Olympic Stadium ) is a stadium in Kasumigaoka Shinjuku-ku Tokyo, located at , that served as the main stadium for the 1964 Summer Olympics. ...

Because of such popularity, clubs in Japan Football League (former) that failed to join "the original ten" in the inaugural season tried to join the league. Clubs like Jubilo Iwata and Bellmare Hiratsuka (current, Shonan Bellmare) joined the league in 1994, six more clubs followed in next four years. The former Japan Football League ) was a football (soccer) league that existed from 1992 to 1998. ... Júbilo Iwata (ジュビロ磐田) is a J. League team. ... Shonan Bellmare (Japanese: 湘南ベルマーレ) is a Japanese professional soccer (football) club, currently playing in the J-league Division 2. ... Shonan Bellmare (Japanese: 湘南ベルマーレ) is a Japanese professional soccer (football) club, currently playing in the J-league Division 2. ...

[edit] An era after the J.League boom (1996-1999)

Despite the success in the first three years, many experts anticipate that "the boom" would soon dissipate, and the league would be in terrible shape financially as the clubs continued paying high wages to the foreign players. In fact, the phenomenon began in early 1996 as the league attendance declined rapidly. In 1997 the average attendance was 10,131, compared to 19K in 1994. Many claimed that the sudden decline in popularity was also due to rapid expansions; A total of eight clubs were added in the four year span from 1994 to 1998. With high paychecks and low attendance, money was bleeding from the clubs, and the league sponsors were becoming very worried. It seemed that there was no way out from the losses.

Although, J. League clubs were not corporate-owned, clubs still depended heavily on support from sponsors, who were essentially their parent companies. When the Japanese economy took a turn for the worse, clubs suffered as their sponsors were affected. In 1998, Sato Kogyo, a general contractor and primary co-sponsor of Yokohama Flügels, announced that it was experiencing financial difficulties, and it would be pulling its support from the club. The other primary co-sponsor, All Nippon Airways, who could not support the club on its own, met with Nissan Motors, the primary sponsor of Yokohama Marinos, the Flügels' cross-town rival, and decided to merge their clubs. Under the agreement, the Flügels were dissolved, and the Marinos were renamed Yokohama F. Marinos, the "F." representing the Flügels. Around the same time, Fujita, the sponsors of Bellmare Hiratsuka (currently, Shonan Bellmare), also had difficulties financing the club. Many other clubs were having a similar problem across the league. Without a change, it would be just a matter of time before the league collapsed. Yokohama Flügels ) was a Japanese soccer team that played in the J. League between 1993 and 1999. ... All Nippon Airways Co. ... Nissan redirects here. ... Yokohama F.Marinos is a Japanese football team which participates in the professional J. League. ... Fujita (藤田) is a common family name in Japan. ... Shonan Bellmare (Japanese: 湘南ベルマーレ) is a Japanese professional soccer (football) club, currently playing in the J-league Division 2. ... Shonan Bellmare (Japanese: 湘南ベルマーレ) is a Japanese professional soccer (football) club, currently playing in the J-league Division 2. ...

[edit] Change of the League's infrastructure (1999-2005)

The league's management finally realized that they were heading into the wrong direction. In order to solve the problem, the management came out with two solutions.

First, they announced the J.League Hundred Year Vision, in which they aim to make 100 professional football clubs in the nation of Japan by 2093. The league also encouraged the clubs to promote football or non-football related sports and health activities, to acquire local sponsorships, and to build good relationship with their hometowns at the grass-root level. The league believe that this will allow clubs to bond with their respective cities and towns and get support from local government, companies, and citizens. In other words, clubs will be able to rely on the locals, rather than major national sponsors.

Secondly, the infrastructure of the league was heavily changed in 1999. The league acquired nine clubs from the semi-professional JFL (former) and one club from J.League to create a two division system. The topflight became the J.League Division 1 (J1) with 16 clubs while J.League Division 2 (J2) was launched with ten clubs in 1999. The second-tier Japan Football League (former), now became third-tier Japan Football League. The former Japan Football League ) was a football (soccer) league that existed from 1992 to 1998. ... The former Japan Football League ) was a football (soccer) league that existed from 1992 to 1998. ... The Japan Football League ) is the 3rd tier of the Japanese football heararchy following J. League division 1 and 2. ...

The criteria for becoming a J2 club was not as strict as the top division. This allowed smaller cities and towns to maintain a club successfully without investing as much as clubs in J1. In fact, clubs like Mito HollyHock only draw an average of 3,000 fans a game and receive minimal sponsorship, yet still field fairly competitive teams in J2. Mito HollyHock (Japanese: ) is a Japanese professional soccer (football) club, currently playing in the J-league Division 2. ...

Clubs took time to build their teams for J1 promotion as they also tried to gradually improve the youth systems, the home stadium, the financial status, and the relationship with their hometown. Clubs such as Oita Trinita, Albirex Niigata, and Kawasaki Frontale accomplished the scheme successfully. All these clubs originally started as J2 in 1999 and were comparatively small, but they eventually earned J1 promotion in 2002, 2003, and 2004 respectively. Now they are all well established in the topflight. Oita Trinita ) is a J. League team. ... Albirex Niigata ) is a Japanese J. League football team. ... Kawasaki Frontale ) is a J. League football club. ...

The league also began to follow European game formats as time went on. Originally, due to the cultural unease^{[citation needed]} of neither side coming out as the winner of a game, extra time, golden goal rules, and penalty shoot-outs were employed for regular league matches. Penalty shoot-outs were abolished in the beginning of the 1999 season, and extra time was abolished in 2002 for J2 and 2003 for J1. Extra time is an additional period played at the end of some games of football (soccer) if the score is tied after the two standard periods (halves) of play. ... The golden goal was a method used in football to decide the winner of games in elimination matches which end in a draw after the end of ordinary time (90 minutes). ... Penalty shootouts, officially named kicks from the penalty mark, are a method sometimes used to decide which team progresses to the next stage of a tournament (or wins the tournament) following a draw in a game of football. ...

Also, until 2004 (with the exception of 1996 season), the J1 season was divided into two. At the end of each full season, the champion from each half played a two-legged series to determined the overall season winner and runners-up. Jubilo Iwata in 2002, and Yokohama F. Marinos in 2003, won both "halves" of the respective seasons, thus eliminating the need for the playoff series. This was the part of the reason for the league to abolish the split-season system beginning in 2005. In recent times, many Latin American football leagues are divided in two sections per season, Apertura and Clausura, each with its own champion. ... The J. League Championship was a two-legged championship series which determined the season champion for the first 12 J. League seasons (1993-2004) excluding the 1996 season. ... Júbilo Iwata (ジュビロ磐田) is a J. League team. ... Yokohama F. Marinos ) is a Japanese football team which participates in the professional J. League. ...

[edit] Expansion of J. League Division 2 (2005-present)

Beginning 2005 season, J. League Division 1 consisted 18 clubs (increased from 16 in 2004) and season format became similar to the European club football. The number of relegated clubs also increased to 2.5 from 2, with the third-from-bottom club going into promotion/relegation playoffs with the third-placed J2 club. Since then, other than minor adjustments, the top flight has stayed consistent. In 2004, J.League introduced a series of two test matches called Promotion/Relegation Series ) between the sixteenth-place J.LEAGUE Division 1 (J1) club and third-place J.league Division 2 (J2) club. ...

Meanwhile, J. League Division 2 started to expand to fulfill the demands of lower-level clubs becoming professional. At the end of 2004 two clubs were promoted from the Japan Football League and in the following year Ehime F.C. followed. At the beginning of the 2006 season, the league took a survey to figure out the number of non-league clubs interested in joining the professional league. As it turned out, about 40-60 clubs in Japan plan to be professional in the next 30 years. From the league's perspective, proposal of J.League Hundred Year Vision back in late 90s has been moving is the positive direction. The Japan Football League ) is the 3rd tier of the Japanese football heararchy following J. League division 1 and 2. ... Ehime F.C. is a professional football (soccer) club based in Matsuyama, the capital city of Ehime Prefecture of Japan. ...

The league management formed a committee and looked at two practical options; either expand the second division or form a third division. In other words, the league had a choice between letting the non-league clubs catch up to the J2 standard or form a third division with non-league clubs where these clubs can prepare for J2. After studying several case studies, the committee made a professional assessment that it is the best interest of the league to expand the J2 to 22 clubs before forming a third division. Several reasonings led the committee to such decision:

• Japan Football League, the third-tier in Japanese football league system was already serving the purpose of preparing the non-league clubs.
• At the time, most non-league club interested becoming professional were in the regional leagues or Prefectural leagues, two to four level below J2.
• Twenty-two clubs is the perfect number as it allows enough number of home games for annual revenue, while keeping the competition at fair double-round robin format.
• Most European leagues have similar football pyramids where there is more clubs in 2nd- and 3rd-tier leagues than the top flight.

Committee also reintroduced Associate Membership System to identify and assist such non-league clubs. The membership is exclusively given to non-league clubs that have intention to joining the J.League and also fulfill most of the criteria for J2 promotion. Several clubs in Japan Football League and Regional Leagues have applied and received the membership. Associate members finishing top 4 of JFL will be promoted to J2, although a few corporate and university holdouts may prevent a smooth transition (Japan, like Spain and Germany, allows reserve teams to compete in the main football league system, though not in the J. League itself). As of 2008, two clubs joined J2 through this system. The Japan Football League ) is the 3rd tier of the Japanese football heararchy following J. League division 1 and 2. ... The Japanese football league system is, like football league systems in most of the world, organized in a pyramidal shape. ... The Japan Football League ) is the 3rd tier of the Japanese football heararchy following J. League division 1 and 2. ... The Japan Football League ) is the 3rd tier of the Japanese football heararchy following J. League division 1 and 2. ...

[edit] Future plans (2009 and beyond)

Currently the league has 18 clubs in Division 1 and 15 clubs in Division 2. As mentioned in the last section, league plans to have 22 clubs in a decade. First, J2 will be expanded to 18 clubs by 2010, and 22 clubs by 2016. However, this is merely a plan and the league will not allow promotion unless the non-league clubs meet the criteria. The league believe this strict system will prevent financially unstable clubs and also allow the league to maintain certain standard as a professional league.

[edit] Timetable

1989

• JFA forms a professional league assessment committee.

1990

• The committee decides the criteria for clubs (a home town, a home stadium, sponsors, etc.)
• Fifteen to twenty clubs from JSL applies for professional league membership

1991

• The official announcement was made to the public

1992

• The professional league, J.League forms with 10 clubs
  • Kashima Antlers
  • Urawa Red Diamonds
  • JEF United Ichihara (current JEF United Ichihara Chiba)
  • Verdy Kawasaki (current Tokyo Verdy)
  • Yokohama Marinos (current Yokohama F. Marinos)
  • Yokohama Flügels (merged into Yokohama Marinos; spiritual successor is Yokohama F.C.)
  • Shimizu S-Pulse
  • Nagoya Grampus Eight (current Nagoya Grampus)
  • Gamba Osaka
  • Sanfrecce Hiroshima
• JSL becomes JFL (former)
• J.League hosts the first domestic league cup competition with the original ten clubs

1993

• The J.League officially kicks off its first season with ten clubs

1994

• Two clubs were promoted from JFL (former). The league now has 12 clubs.
  • Júbilo Iwata
  • Bellmare Hiratsuka (current Shonan Bellmare)

1995

• Two clubs were promoted from JFL (former). The league now has 14 clubs.
  • Kashiwa Reysol
  • Cerezo Osaka
• The points system was in effect. (3pts for a win, 1pt for a PK loss, 0pts for a regulation or extra time loss)

1996

• Two clubs were promoted from JFL (former). The league now has 16 clubs.
  • Kyoto Purple Sanga (current Kyoto Sanga)
  • Avispa Fukuoka
• Changed to the single season format from the double season format

1997

• One club was promoted from JFL (former). The league now has 17 clubs.
  • Vissel Kobe
• Went back to the split season format again (however, only one round-robin per stage)
• Change in the points regulation (3pts for a regulation win, 2pts for a extra time win, 1pt for a PK win, and 0pts for a loss)

1998

• One club was promoted from JFL (former) The league now has 18 clubs.
  • Consadole Sapporo

1999

• The Yokohama merger
• The league was divided into two divisions, J1 and J2, as nine more clubs from JFL (former) joined the J2.
  • Montedio Yamagata
  • Vegalta Sendai
  • Omiya Ardija
  • Kawasaki Frontale
  • Ventforet Kofu
  • Sagan Tosu
  • FC Tokyo
  • Albirex Niigata
  • Oita Trinita
• Consadole Sapporo was relegated from J1 to J2
• The league now has 16 clubs in J1 and 10 clubs in J2.
• Penalties were scratched in both divisions (3pts for a regulation win, 2pts for an extra time win, and 1pt for a tie)
• JFL (former) was also restructured as well, and it became the new Japan Football League (JFL). To distinguish between the former and new JFL, the new JFL is pronounced Nihon Football League in Japanese.

2000

• One club was promoted from JFL to J2. The league now has 16 J1 clubs and 11 J2 clubs.
  • Mito HollyHock

2001

• One club was promoted from JFL to J2. The league now has 16 J1 clubs and 12 J2 Clubs.
  • Yokohama F.C. (the unofficial successor of Yokohama Flügels)

2002

• Extra time was scratched in J2 (3pts for a win, 1pt for a tie, 0pts for a loss)
• J1 still had extra time (3pts for a regualtion win, 2pts for an extra time win, and 1pt for a tie)

2003

• Extra time was scratched in J1 (3pts for a win, 1pt for a tie, 0pts for a loss)

2004 (Go to 2004 J.League Season)

• Inception of the two-legged Promotion/Relegation Series as the top flight expanded to 18 clubs in the following season.

2005 (Go to 2005 J.League Season)

• Two clubs were promoted from JFL to J2. The league now has 18 J1 clubs and 12 J2 clubs.
  • Thespa Kusatsu
  • Tokushima VORTIS
• The league starts the single season format (double round robin) for J1

2006 (Go to 2006 J.LEAGUE Season)

• One club was promoted from JFL to J2. The league now has 18 J1 clubs and 13 J2 clubs.
  • Ehime FC
• Away goals rule is adopted in Yamazaki Nabisco Cup and Promotion/Relegation Series

2007 (Go to 2007 J.League Season)

• The J1 champions now qualifies to Club World Cup as the host, unless a Japanese club wins the ACL

2008 (Go to 2008 J.League Season)

• Two clubs were promoted from JFL to J2. The league now has 18 J1 clubs and 15 J2 clubs.
  • Roasso Kumamoto
  • FC Gifu

The acronym JFA can stand for: Japan Football Association the band JFA - (Jodie Fosters Army) This is a disambiguation page, a list of pages that otherwise might share the same title. ... JSL can also stand for Japanese Sign Language, Japanese as a Second Language or Japan Soccer League. ... Kashima Antlers ) is a J. League team. ... The Urawa Red Diamonds ), or Urawa Reds ), are one of the most popular football clubs in the J. League. ... JEF United Ichihara Chiba(ジェフユナイテッド市原・千葉) is a J. League team. ... JEF United Ichihara Chiba ) is a football (soccer) club that plays in J. League. ... Tokyo Verdy 1969 is a football team which plays Japans J. League. ... Tokyo Verdy 1969 (東京ヴェルディ1969) is a football team which plays Japans J. League. ... Yokohama F.Marinos is a Japanese football team which participates in the professional J. League. ... Yokohama F. Marinos ) is a Japanese football team which participates in the professional J. League. ... Yokohama Flügels ) was a Japanese soccer team that played in the J. League between 1993 and 1999. ... Yokohama FC ) are a Japanese football (soccer) club based in the city of Yokohama. ... Shimizu S-Pulse(清水エスパルス) is a J. League team. ... Nagoya Grampus Eight ) is a Japanese football (soccer) club which plays in the first division of the J. League. ... Gamba Osaka ) is a Japanese professional soccer (football) club, currently playing in the J. League Division 1. ... Sanfrecce Hiroshima ) is a football team for J. League. ... Japan Soccer League ), or JSL, was the top flight soccer league in Japan between 1965 and 1992, and was the precursor to the current professional league, the J. League. ... The former Japan Football League ) was a football (soccer) league that existed from 1992 to 1998. ... the 2005 final J. League Cup is a Japanese football (soccer) competition organised by J. League. ... The former Japan Football League ) was a football (soccer) league that existed from 1992 to 1998. ... Júbilo Iwata (ジュビロ磐田) is a J. League team. ... Shonan Bellmare (Japanese: 湘南ベルマーレ) is a Japanese professional soccer (football) club, currently playing in the J-league Division 2. ... Shonan Bellmare (Japanese: 湘南ベルマーレ) is a Japanese professional soccer (football) club, currently playing in the J-league Division 2. ... The former Japan Football League ) was a football (soccer) league that existed from 1992 to 1998. ... Kashiwa Reysol ) is a J. League team. ... Cerezo Osaka ) is a J. League team. ... Penalty shootouts, officially named kicks from the penalty mark, are a method sometimes used to decide which team progresses to the next stage of a tournament (or wins the tournament) following a draw in a game of football. ... Extra time is an additional period played at the end of some games of football (soccer) if the score is tied after the two standard periods (halves) of play. ... The former Japan Football League ) was a football (soccer) league that existed from 1992 to 1998. ... Nishikyogoku Stadium Kyoto Purple Sanga is a soccer club with many enthusiastic fans. ... Nishikyogoku Stadium Kyoto Sanga F.C. ) is a Japanese professional football (soccer) club based in Kyoto. ... Avispa Fukuoka ) is a Japanese professional soccer (football) club, currently playing in the J-league Division 1. ... The former Japan Football League ) was a football (soccer) league that existed from 1992 to 1998. ... Kobe-Universiade game meeting commemoration stadium old logo Vissel Kobe ) is a Japanese professional football (soccer) club, currently playing in the J. League Division 1. ... Extra time is an additional period played at the end of some games of football (soccer) if the score is tied after the two standard periods (halves) of play. ... Penalty shootouts, officially named kicks from the penalty mark, are a method sometimes used to decide which team progresses to the next stage of a tournament (or wins the tournament) following a draw in a game of football. ... The former Japan Football League ) was a football (soccer) league that existed from 1992 to 1998. ... Consadole Sapporo (Japanese: コンサドーレ札幌) is a Japanese professional soccer (football) club, currently playing in the J-league Division 2. ... The former Japan Football League ) was a football (soccer) league that existed from 1992 to 1998. ... Montedio Yamagata is a professional football (soccer) club based in Yamagata Prefecture in Japan. ... Vegalta Sendai (Japanese: ベガルタ仙台) is a Japanese professional soccer (football) club, currently playing in the J-league Division 2. ... Omiya Ardija ) is a professional football (soccer) club in the J. League, based in ÅŒmiya-ku in Saitama, Saitama, Japan. ... Kawasaki Frontale ) is a J. League football club. ... Ventforet Kofu ) are a Japanese football (soccer) club from Kofu. ... Sagan Tosu (Japanese: サガン鳥栖) is a Japanese professional soccer (football) club, currently playing in the J-league Division 2. ... F.C. Tokyo(FC東京) is a J. League team. ... Albirex Niigata ) is a Japanese J. League football team. ... Oita Trinita ) is a J. League team. ... Consadole Sapporo (Japanese: コンサドーレ札幌) is a Japanese professional soccer (football) club, currently playing in the J-league Division 2. ... Penalty shootouts, officially named kicks from the penalty mark, are a method sometimes used to decide which team progresses to the next stage of a tournament (or wins the tournament) following a draw in a game of football. ... Extra time is an additional period played at the end of some games of football (soccer) if the score is tied after the two standard periods (halves) of play. ... The former Japan Football League ) was a football (soccer) league that existed from 1992 to 1998. ... The Japan Football League ) is the 3rd tier of the Japanese football heararchy following J. League division 1 and 2. ... The Japan Football League ) is the 3rd tier of the Japanese football heararchy following J. League division 1 and 2. ... The Japan Football League ) is the 3rd tier of the Japanese football heararchy following J. League division 1 and 2. ... Mito HollyHock (Japanese: ) is a Japanese professional soccer (football) club, currently playing in the J-league Division 2. ... The Japan Football League ) is the 3rd tier of the Japanese football heararchy following J. League division 1 and 2. ... Yokohama FC ) are a Japanese football (soccer) club based in the city of Yokohama. ... Extra time is an additional period played at the end of some games of football (soccer) if the score is tied after the two standard periods (halves) of play. ... Extra time is an additional period played at the end of some games of football (soccer) if the score is tied after the two standard periods (halves) of play. ... Extra time is an additional period played at the end of some games of football (soccer) if the score is tied after the two standard periods (halves) of play. ... Extra time is an additional period played at the end of some games of football (soccer) if the score is tied after the two standard periods (halves) of play. ... The 2004 season was the 74th season of competitive Football in Japan. ... In 2004, J.League introduced a series of two test matches called Promotion/Relegation Series ) between the sixteenth-place J.LEAGUE Division 1 (J1) club and third-place J.league Division 2 (J2) club. ... // Complete J1 & J2 Results from 2005 Season (RSSSF) Araújo (Gamba Osaka) Robert Cullen (Jubilo Iwata) Araújo (Gamba Osaka) - 33 Goals Akira Nishino (Gamba Osaka) J.LEAGUE Official Stats (Englsih) 2005 J.LEAGUE Season, Club, and Player Stats (English) Categories: | ... The Japan Football League ) is the 3rd tier of the Japanese football heararchy following J. League division 1 and 2. ... Thespa Kusatsu (ザスパ草津 zasupa kusatsu) is a professional football (soccer) club based in Gunma Prefecture in Japan. ... Tokushima VORTIS (Japanese: 徳島ヴォルティス) is a Japanese professional soccer (football) club, currently playing in the J-league Division 2. ... // Complete J1 & J2 Results from 2006 Season (RSSSF) † Urawa Reds won the 2005 Emperors Cup and already qualified for 2007 ACL before coming into the 2006 J.LEAGUE Season; therefore Kawasaki Frontale takes the second ACL spot. ... The Japan Football League ) is the 3rd tier of the Japanese football heararchy following J. League division 1 and 2. ... Ehime F.C. is a professional football (soccer) club based in Matsuyama, the capital city of Ehime Prefecture of Japan. ... The away goals rule is a method of breaking ties in football and other sports when teams play each other twice, once at each teams home ground. ... the 2005 final J. League Cup is a Japanese football (soccer) competition organised by J. League. ... In 2004, J.League introduced a series of two test matches called Promotion/Relegation Series ) between the sixteenth-place J.LEAGUE Division 1 (J1) club and third-place J.league Division 2 (J2) club. ... The 2007 season will be the 77th season of competitive football in Japan. ... Fifa logo This article is about the current tournament involving the champion clubs of all continents. ... The AFC Champions League is an annual international inter-club football competition between the champions and cup winners of the top 14 Asian leagues. ... The Japan Football League ) is the 3rd tier of the Japanese football heararchy following J. League division 1 and 2. ... F.C. Gifu ) are a Japanese football (soccer) club based in Gifu Prefecture. ...

[edit] The League structure

Main article: Japanese football league system

Since the inception of the second division in 1999, promotion and relegation follow a pattern similar to European leagues, where the two bottom clubs of J1 and the top two clubs of J2 are guaranteed to move. Also starting 2005, a third place J2 club can also move up if they were able to defeat the third-to-last J1 club in the Promotion/Relegation Series. However, promotion or right to play the pro/rele series relies on the J2 clubs meeting the requirements for J1 franchise status set by the league. This has generally not been a hindrance, in fact, no club is yet to be denied promotion due to not meeting the J1 criteria. The Japanese football league system is, like football league systems in most of the world, organized in a pyramidal shape. ... In 2004, J.League introduced a series of two test matches called Promotion/Relegation Series ) between the sixteenth-place J.LEAGUE Division 1 (J1) club and third-place J.league Division 2 (J2) club. ...

Japan Football League (JFL) is currently the third level in the football system and being a semi-professional league, the J. League limits only certain club from JFL to be promoted. In 2000, 2001, and 2006 the JFL league champion was promoted to J2; in 2005 two teams were promoted. From 2007, the league requires J. League Associate Membership and at least 4th-place finish in JFL to be promoted to J2. There is no relegation from J2 to JFL. Since 1999, seven club from JFL were promoted J2, two of which were expaned into J1. Currently, J1 has 18 clubs and J2 has 15 clubs. The division 2 will have 18-22 clubs in the near future. The Japan Football League ) is the 3rd tier of the Japanese football heararchy following J. League division 1 and 2. ...

[edit] J.League Division 1 (J1)

Until 2004 season, the J1 season was divided into two halves, with a annual championship series involving the champions from each halves (with exception of the 1996 season). However, from 2005 season, the split format is dropped. Now 18 clubs plays in double round robin, home and away. In recent times, many Latin American football leagues are divided in two sections per season, Apertura and Clausura, each with its own champion. ... The J. League Championship was a two-legged championship series which determined the season champion for the first 12 J. League seasons (1993-2004) excluding the 1996 season. ...

[edit] The 2008 season

Eighteen clubs will play in double round-robin (home and away) format, a total of 34 games each. A club receives 3 points for a win, 1 point for a tie, and 0 points for a loss. The clubs are ranked by points, and tie breakers are, in the following order:

• Goal differential
• Goals scored
• Head-to-head results
• Disciplinary points

A draw would be conducted, if necessary. However, if two clubs are tied at the first place, both clubs will be declared as the champions. The bottom two clubs will be relegated to J2, while the 16th placed club plays a two-legged Promotion/Relegation Series. In 2004, J.League introduced a series of two test matches called Promotion/Relegation Series ) between the sixteenth-place J.LEAGUE Division 1 (J1) club and third-place J.league Division 2 (J2) club. ...

[edit] Clubs in J1 (2008)

Main article: J. League Clubs

Kashima Antlers ) is a J. League team. ... For the city, see Ibaraki, Osaka. ... Kashima Stadium is a football stadium in the Japanese city of Kashima. ... The Urawa Red Diamonds ), or Urawa Reds ), are one of the most popular football clubs in the J. League. ... Saitama ) is the capital and the most populous city of Saitama Prefecture in Japan. ... Saitama Prefecture (埼玉県; Saitama-ken) is located on Honshu island, Japan. ... Saitama Stadium 2002 (Japanese: 埼玉スタジアム2002 Saitama Sutajiamu Ni-maru-maru-ni) is a stadium specialized to football, located in Midori-ku, Saitama, Saitama, Japan. ... Urawa Komaba Stadium (Japanese: 浦和駒場スタジアム　Urawa Komaba Sutajiamu) is an athletic stadium in Urawa-ku, Saitama, Saitama, Japan. ... Gamba Osaka ) is a Japanese professional soccer (football) club, currently playing in the J. League Division 1. ... Tower of the Sun in Expo 70 Memorial Park JR Suita Station Suita (吹田市; -shi) is a city located in northern Osaka Prefecture, Japan. ... Osaka Prefecture (大阪府 ÅŒsaka-fu) is part of the Kinki region on Honshu island, Japan. ... As the name implys Osaka Expo 70 Stadium was built for the 1970 World Exposition. ... Shimizu S-Pulse(清水エスパルス) is a J. League team. ... Shimizu-ku (清水区) is a ward of Shizuoka, Shizuoka, Japan. ... Shizuoka Prefecture ) is located in the ChÅ«bu region on HonshÅ« island, Japan. ... Nihodaira Stadium ) is a multi-use stadium in Shimizu, Shizuoka, Japan. ... Ecopa Stadium exterior from the north, August 2006 Shizuoka Ecopa Stadium ) is a sports stadium used primarily for football. ... Kawasaki Frontale ) is a J. League football club. ... This article is about the Japanese city. ... Kanagawa Prefecture ) is a prefecture located in the southern Kantō region of HonshÅ«, Japan. ... Todoroki Athletics Stadium is a multi-use stadium in Kawasaki, Japan. ... Albirex Niigata ) is a Japanese J. League football team. ... Niigata ) is the capital and the most populous city of Niigata Prefecture, Japan. ... Seirō (聖籠町; -machi) is a town located in Kitakanbara District, Niigata, Japan. ... Niigata Prefecture ) is located on HonshÅ« island on the coast of the Sea of Japan. ... Tohoku Denryoku Big Swan Stadium ) is a football stadium in Niigata, Japan. ... Yokohama F. Marinos ) is a Japanese football team which participates in the professional J. League. ... Japans tallest building, the Landmark Tower, is in the Minato Mirai 21 district of Yokohama. ... Yokosuka (Japanese: 横須賀市; -shi) is a city located in Kanagawa, Japan. ... Kanagawa Prefecture ) is a prefecture located in the southern Kantō region of HonshÅ«, Japan. ... The International Stadium of Yokohama (Japanese: 横浜国際総合競技場; Yokohama Kokusai Sougou Kyougijou) has 73,237 seats, and was inaugurated in March 1998. ... Kashiwa Reysol ) is a J. League team. ... Kashiwa (柏市 Kashiwa-shi) is a city located in Chiba, Japan. ... Chiba Prefecture ) is located in the Greater Tokyo Area of Honshu Island, Japan. ... Hitachi Kashiwa Soccer Stadium is a multi-use stadium in Kashiwa, Japan. ... Júbilo Iwata (ジュビロ磐田) is a J. League team. ... Iwata (磐田市; -shi) is a city located in Shizuoka, Japan. ... Shizuoka Prefecture ) is located in the ChÅ«bu region on HonshÅ« island, Japan. ... Yamaha Stadium is the homeground for Jubilo Iwata, a Japanese football (soccer) club that plays in Iwata. ... Ecopa Stadium exterior from the north, August 2006 Shizuoka Ecopa Stadium ) is a sports stadium used primarily for football. ... Kobe-Universiade game meeting commemoration stadium old logo Vissel Kobe ) is a Japanese professional football (soccer) club, currently playing in the J. League Division 1. ... This article is about the Japanese city. ... Hyōgo Prefecture (兵庫県 Hyōgo-ken) is located in the Kinki region on Honshu island, Japan. ... Kobe Wing Stadium is a football stadium in Kobe, Japan. ... Kobe Universiade Memorial Stadium is a multi-use stadium in Kobe, Japan. ... Nagoya Castle Nagoya (名古屋市; -shi) is the fourth largest (third largest metropolitan region) and the third most prosperous city in Japan. ... For the company, see Aichi Steel Corporation. ... Mizuho Athletic Stadium is a multi-use stadium in Nagoya, Japan. ... Toyota Stadium is a 45,000 seat retractable roof stadium in Toyota City, Japan. ... F.C. Tokyo ) is a Japanese football (soccer) club playing in J. League Division 1. ... For other uses, see Tokyo (disambiguation). ... Tokyo (Ajinomoto) Stadium Tokyo Stadium (Japanese: 東京スタジアム) is a multipurpose stadium located in Chofu, Tokyo, Japan. ... JEF United Chiba ) or JEF United Ichihara Chiba ) is a J.LEAGUE club based in Chiba, Chiba. ... Chiba (千葉市 Chiba-shi) is the capital city of Chiba Prefecture, Japan. ... Ichihara (市原市 Ichihara-shi) is a city located in Chiba, Japan. ... Chiba Prefecture ) is located in the Greater Tokyo Area of Honshu Island, Japan. ... Fukuda Denshi Arena(Japanese:フクダ電子アリーナ）is Football stadiam in Chiba, Japan. ... Oita Trinita ) is a J. League team. ... ÅŒita Prefecture ) is located on KyÅ«shÅ« Island, Japan. ... Oita Stadium or Big Eye is a stadium in the city of Oita in Oita Prefecture on Kyushu Island in Japan. ... Omiya Ardija ) is a professional football (soccer) club in the J. League, based in ÅŒmiya-ku in Saitama, Saitama, Japan. ... Saitama ) is the capital and the most populous city of Saitama Prefecture in Japan. ... Saitama Prefecture (埼玉県; Saitama-ken) is located on Honshu island, Japan. ... Omiya Park Soccer Stadium is a stadium dedicated to football (soccer) in Omiya-ku, Saitama, Saitama, Japan. ... Consadole Sapporo (Japanese: コンサドーレ札幌) is a Japanese professional soccer (football) club, currently playing in the J-league Division 2. ... Sapporo redirects here. ...   literally North Sea Circuit, Ainu: Mosir), formerly known as Ezo, Yezo, Yeso, or Yesso, is Japans second largest island and the largest of its 47 prefectural-level subdivisions. ... Sapporo Atsubetsu Park Stadium is a multi-use stadium in Sapporo, Japan. ... Sapporo Dome is a stadium in Sapporo, Japan. ... Tokyo Verdy 1969 (東京ヴェルディ1969) is a football team which plays Japans J. League. ... For other uses, see Tokyo (disambiguation). ... Tokyo Stadium (Japanese: 東京スタジアム) is a multipurpose stadium located in Chofu, Tokyo, Japan. ... Nishikyogoku Stadium Kyoto Sanga F.C. ) is a Japanese professional football (soccer) club based in Kyoto. ... This page is about the city Kyoto. ... The Iwashimizu Hachimangu, a Shinto shrine in Yawata. ... Nishiyogoku Athletic Stadium is a multi-use stadium in Kyoto, Japan. ...

[edit] Championship history

Main article: Japanese football champions

The 2005 season was the 13th season since the establishment of the J. League. ... The 2006 season was the 14 season since the establishment of the J. League. ... The J. League 2007 season is the 15th season since the establishment of the J. League. ...

[edit] Best performance teams

Kashima Antlers ) is a J. League team. ... Júbilo Iwata (ジュビロ磐田) is a J. League team. ... Yokohama F. Marinos ) is a Japanese football team which participates in the professional J. League. ... Tokyo Verdy 1969 (東京ヴェルディ1969) is a football team which plays Japans J. League. ... old crest The Urawa Reds ), or Urawa Red Diamonds ) is the most popular and most fanatically followed football club in Japans professional soccer league, J. League, regularly attracting gates of over 50,000. ... Gamba Osaka ) is a Japanese professional soccer (football) club, currently playing in the J. League Division 1. ... Kawasaki Frontale ) is a J. League football club. ... Sanfrecce Hiroshima ) is a football team for J. League. ... Shimizu S-Pulse(清水エスパルス) is a J. League team. ...

[edit] Relegation history

• 1998

When the league introduced the two-division system in 1999, they also reduced number of Division 1 club from 18 to 16. At the end of 1998 season, they hosted the J.League Promotion Tournament to determine two relegating clubs from J.League. Originally, tournament was supposed to have six participants; Kawasaki Frontale from Japan Football League (former) and five bottom clubs from very-complex combined ranking of 1997 and 1998 J.League seasons. However, Yokohama Flügels merged with Yokohama Marinos reducing the number J.League club to 17. Thus, the league took bottom four clubs from J.League and Kawasaki Frontale and decided that three surviver will join J.League Division 1 and two non-surviver will relegate/join the Division 2. As a results, Kawasaki Frontale failed to win J1 promotion and Consadole Sapporo became the first club in J.League history to relegate to J2. These two clubs and other eight clubs from JFL (former) were brought up to create the division 2. Kawasaki Frontale ) is a J. League football club. ... The former Japan Football League ) was a football (soccer) league that existed from 1992 to 1998. ... Yokohama Flügels ) was a Japanese soccer team that played in the J. League between 1993 and 1999. ... Yokohama F.Marinos is a Japanese football team which participates in the professional J. League. ... Consadole Sapporo (Japanese: コンサドーレ札幌) is a Japanese professional soccer (football) club, currently playing in the J-league Division 2. ... The former Japan Football League ) was a football (soccer) league that existed from 1992 to 1998. ...

• Split-Season Era (1999-2004)

During the 1999 to 2003 season, two bottom clubs clubs were relegated to Division 2. To accommodate for split-season format, combined overall standings were used to determine the relegating clubs. This created a confusing situation, where for championship race stage standing were used, while overall standing was used for relegation survival.

At end of the 2004 season, Division 1 again expanded from 16 clubs to 18 clubs. No clubs were relegated; however, last-placed (16th) club had to play Promotion/Relegation Series against 3rd placed club from J2. Again, to determined 16th placed club, overall standing was used instead of stage standing. In 2004, J.League introduced a series of two test matches called Promotion/Relegation Series ) between the sixteenth-place J.LEAGUE Division 1 (J1) club and third-place J.league Division 2 (J2) club. ...

• Single Season Era (2005-present)

From 2005 season, number of relegating club increased 2.5. To accommodate for two incoming Division 2 clubs, two bottom clubs were relegated; the only difference is that now 18 clubs is competing instead of 16 clubs. Also, 16th-placed club now has to play and win Promotion/Relegation Series against 3rd-placed club from J2 to ensure their spot in J1 next year. In 2004, J.League introduced a series of two test matches called Promotion/Relegation Series ) between the sixteenth-place J.LEAGUE Division 1 (J1) club and third-place J.league Division 2 (J2) club. ...

• Summary

* Bold designates relegated clubs; † Won the Pro/Rele Series; ‡ Lost the Pro/Rele Series and relegated The 2002 season was the 10 season since the establishment of the J. League. ... The 2003 season was the 11 season since the establishment of the J. League. ... The 2004 season was the 12 season since the establishment of the J. League. ... The 2005 season was the 13th season since the establishment of the J. League. ... The 2006 season was the 14 season since the establishment of the J. League. ... The J. League 2007 season is the 15th season since the establishment of the J. League. ... In 2004, J.League introduced a series of two test matches called Promotion/Relegation Series ) between the sixteenth-place J.LEAGUE Division 1 (J1) club and third-place J.league Division 2 (J2) club. ... In 2004, J.League introduced a series of two test matches called Promotion/Relegation Series ) between the sixteenth-place J.LEAGUE Divis