The Japanese football league system is organized in a pyramidal shape just like the football league systems in the world. Soccer redirects here. ...

The leagues are, as expected, bound by the principle of promotion and relegation; however, there are stringent criteria for promotion from the JFL to J2, which demands a club being backed by the town itself including the local government, a community of fans, corporate sponsors rather than a parent company or a corporation. There is no relegation provision from J2 to the JFL at the moment, since J.League and JFL are separate entities. Moreover, J2 is currently in the process of expansion, thus promotion to it is partially economic in nature. In many sports leagues around the world (with North American and Australian professional leagues being the most notable exceptions), relegation (or demotion) means the mandated transfer of the least successful team(s) of a higher division into a lower division at the end of the season. ... For other uses, see Corporation (disambiguation). ...

Overview

The top two levels of the Japanese football league system are operated by J. League, which consists of J. League Division 1 (J1) and J. League Division 2. All of the clubs in J. League are professional. The Japan Professional Football League ), or J.League ), is the top professional football (soccer) league in Japan and one of the most successful leagues in Asian club football. ...

The third level, Japan Football League (JFL), is organized by the Japan Football Association, and is a semi-professional league consisting of amateur, professional, and university clubs from all over Japan. The Japan Football League ) is the 3rd tier of the Japanese football heararchy following J. League division 1 and 2. ... The Japan Football Association (JFA) is the governing body responsible for the administration of football (soccer) in Japan. ...

At the fourth and fifth levels, nine parallel regional leagues are operated by nine different regional football associations. Some have multiple divisions. The regional associations are divided by political or geographical boundaries.

At the sixth level and below, parallel prefectural leagues are hosted by each of the 46 different prefectural football associations, again divided by political or geographical boundaries. Some have multiple divisions.

Structure

Level I & II: J. League

J. League governs the top two level of Japanese football pyramid and it consists of a total of 33 football clubs. All 33 clubs in J. League are fully professional and are divided into two divisions, J. League Division 1 (J1) and J. League Division 2 (J2). Eighteen (18) clubs make up the top flight and have access to the Asian premier football competition, AFC Champions League. On the other hand, Division 2 only has 15 clubs; however, this number is expected to increase to 22 in the near future. The AFC Champions League is an annual international inter-club football competition between the champions and cup winners of the top 14 Asian leagues. ...

J. League Division 1 (18 Clubs)

Asian Qualification

Currently through the league games, only the J. League Champions is allowed to qualify to the AFC Champions League. The other means of qualification is the Emperor's Cup; however this give access to clubs below level I as well. If the league champions is already qualified through other means (i.e. Emperor's Cup Winners, ACL Defending Champions), the league runners-up receives the second spot. From the 2009 season, runners-up and 3rd-place club may also qualify as number of Japanese participants anticipated to increase.

Relegation (to J2)

Currently, 2.5 clubs relegates to J. League Division 2. The bottom two clubs, 17th- and 18th-placed clubs relegate. The 16th-placed club must enter and win Promotion/Relegation Series to survive relegation.

The AFC Champions League is an annual international inter-club football competition between the champions and cup winners of the top 14 Asian leagues. ... Emperors Cup logo The Emperors Cup All-Japan Soccer Championship Tournament ), commonly known as The Emperors Cup ), is a Japanese football competition. ... 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. ...

J. League Division 2 (15 Clubs)

Promotion (to J1)

Two and a half (2.5) clubs have access to promotion. The champions and the runners-up of the Division 2 are guaranteed, given that they meet all the Division 1 criteria (In the past, no club have been denied promotion due to this). The 3rd placed club enters Promotion/Relegation Series.

Relegation (to JFL)

None

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. ...

Level III: Japan Football League (18 Clubs)

The Japan Football League (JFL) is the third level in the Japanese football pyramid, and is known as the highest level for amateur club football. Unlike J. League, JFL is governed by Japan Football Association (JFA). It consists of amateur clubs such as university teams and company football clubs. Some professional clubs do exist as well. Usually these professional clubs are eyeing promotion to the professional league, J. League. Due to presence of these professional clubs, in reality the league has the semi-professional status. The Japan Football League ) is the 3rd tier of the Japanese football heararchy following J. League division 1 and 2. ... The Japan Football Association (JFA) is the governing body responsible for the administration of football (soccer) in Japan. ...

Promotion (to J2)

Clubs in JFL must meet following criteria to receive promotion to the professional league.

• Have J. League Associate Membership
• Finish in the top four in JFL.
• Pass the final inspection by the J. League professional committee

Relegation (to Regional Leagues)

The number varies from 0 to 2 depending on number of clubs promoted to the J. League Division 2 and/or number of club disbanded. Depending on the number, last-placed club may have to face promotion/relegation series to survive the relegation. Now, clubs relegates to their designated Regional League (ie. a club from Tokyo will relegate to Kanto League, even if the promoted club is not from Kanto League).

The Japan Football League ) is the 3rd tier of the Japanese football heararchy following J. League division 1 and 2. ...

Level IV/V: 9 Regional Leagues

In the modern Japan, the country is divided into 9 different regions. From North to South they are Hokkaido, Touhoku, Kantou, Tokai, Hokushin-etsu, Kansai, Shikoku, Chugoku, and Kyushu. Each region have its own football league, and they make up 9 parallel football leagues governed by designated regional FAs. Hokkaido, Chugoku, Shikoku, and Kyushu Regional Leagues have only one division, where as others have two divisions. On top of that, Touhoku Division 2 is divided into Division 2 North and Division 2 South. Because of difference in the structures, each region has its own promotion and relegation regulation between the divisions.

Promotion (to JFL)

At the end of the year, champions and some runners-up from the 9 Regional Leagues qualify to the Annual National Tournament. The winners of the tournament and runners-up receive promotion to JFL. Occasionally, the 3rd-placed club receives promotion/relegation series match against last-placed JFL club or direct promotion depending on number of clubs promoted to J2 and clubs disbanded.

Relegation (to Prefectural Leagues)

Different regulations for each Regional Leagues

Level VI+: 46 Prefectural Leagues & Hakkaido Blocks

Under the 9 regions, there are 47 prefectures. Hakkaidou is by itself is a prefecture, thus the leagues in Hokkaidou does not have a prefectural league and rather divided into 4 blocks; however, all other 46 prefectures has Prefectural leagues. Most if not all, of these leagues have multi-divisions.

Promotion (to Regional League)

Different regulations for each Regional Leagues

External links

• Japan Football League page
• Structure (in English)
• Japanese Non-League news (in English)

v • d • e Football in Japan Japan Football Association     League Competitions J. League Division 1 J. League Division 2 Japan Football League League system Women's League Image File history File links Flag_of_Japan. ... J. League Division2 match Consadole Sapporo - Avispa Fukuoka at Sapporo,Atubetsu Soccer or football in Japan, is organized professionally by the J. League and the Japan Football Association. ... The Japan Football Association (JFA) is the governing body responsible for the administration of football (soccer) in Japan. ... The Japan Professional Football League ), or J.League ), is the top professional football (soccer) league in Japan and one of the most successful leagues in Asian club football. ... The Japan Professional Football League ), or J.League ), is the top professional football (soccer) league in Japan and one of the most successful leagues in Asian club football. ... The Japan Football League ) is the 3rd tier of the Japanese football heararchy following J. League division 1 and 2. ... The L. League(in Japanese: L・リーグ, Officially 日本女子サッカーリーグ,Nihon Joshi Sakkā RÄ«gu, Pet name なでしこリーグ,Nadeshiko RÄ«gu) is the top league for womens football (soccer) in Japan. ... National Team Women/Futsal Champions List of clubs List of venues First international Japan 0 - 5 Republic of China  (Tokyo, Japan; May 9, 1917) Biggest win Japan 15 - 0 Philippines  (Tokyo, Japan; September 27, 1967) Biggest defeat Japan 2 - 15 Philippines  (Tokyo, Japan; September 10, 1917) World Cup Appearances 3 (First in 1998) Best result Round 2, 2002 AFC Asian Cup... First International Chinese Taipei 1 - 0 Japan (Hong Kong; 7 June 1981 non-All Japan team) India 1 - 0 Japan (Jakarta, Indonesia; 21 January 1986 All Japan team) Largest win Japan 21 - 0 Guam (China; 5 December 1997) Worst defeat Japan 0 - 9 Italy (Kobe,Japan; 9 September 1981 Japan... The Japan national futsal team represents Japan in international futsal competitions and is controlled by Japan Football Association. ... The Japanese football champions are the team that wins the top league in Japan, the Japan Soccer League from 1965 to 1992 and the J. League since then. ... // Japan Professional Football League (J. League) Division 1 (J1 - 18 teams) Albirex Niigata Avispa Fukuoka Cerezo Osaka F.C. Tokyo JEF United Ichihara Chiba Kashima Antlers Kawasaki Frontale Kyoto Purple Sanga Gamba Osaka Júbilo Iwata Nagoya Grampus Eight Oita Trinita Omiya Ardija Sanfrecce Hiroshima Shimizu S-Pulse Urawa Red... Cup Competitions Emperor's Cup J. League Cup Japanese Super Cup Shakaijin Cup Women's Cup Emperors Cup logo The Emperors Cup All-Japan Soccer Championship Tournament ), commonly known as The Emperors Cup ), is a Japanese football competition. ... the 2005 final J. League Cup is a Japanese football (soccer) competition organised by J. League. ... The Xerox Super Cup logo The Japanese Super Cup or Xerox Super Cup ) is an annual one-match football (soccer) competition in Japan organised by J. League and the Japan Football Association (JFA). ...

v • d • e 2008 J. League Clubs & Associate Members Division 1 (18 clubs) Consadole Sapporo · Kashima Antlers · Omiya Ardija · Urawa Red Diamonds · JEF United Ichihara Chiba · Kashiwa Reysol · F.C. Tokyo · Tokyo Verdy · Kawasaki Frontale · Yokohama F. Marinos · Albirex Niigata · Shimizu S-Pulse · Júbilo Iwata · Nagoya Grampus · Kyoto Sanga F.C. · Gamba Osaka · Vissel Kobe · Oita Trinita Division 2 (15 clubs) Vegalta Sendai · Montedio Yamagata · Mito HollyHock · Thespa Kusatsu · Yokohama F.C. · Shonan Bellmare · Ventforet Kofu · F.C. Gifu · Cerezo Osaka · Tokushima Vortis · Sanfrecce Hiroshima · Ehime F.C. · Avispa Fukuoka · Sagan Tosu · Roasso Kumamoto Defunct Club(s) Yokohama Flügels Associate Members Tochigi S.C. · Kataller Toyama · Gainare Tottori · Fagiano Okayama F.C. · New Wave Kitakyushu

v • d • e 2008 Japan Football League Clubs Arte Takasaki · Fagiano Okayama F.C. · Gainare Tottori · Honda F.C. · JEF United Ichihara Chiba Reserves · F.C. Kariya Kataller Toyama · MIO Biwako Kusatsu · Mitsubishi Motors Mizushima F.C. · New Wave Kitakyushu F.C. Ryūkyū · Ryutsu Keizai University F.C. · Sagawa Shiga F.C. · Sagawa Printing S.C. · Sony Sendai F.C. TDK S.C. · Tochigi S.C. · Yokogawa Musashino F.C.

v • d • e See Also Japanese football league system · J. League Associate Membership · J. League records · J. League contracts · Japanese football champions · Notable J. League players · List of football clubs in Japan