2023 J2 League

25th season of J2 League

Football league season

J2 LeagueSeason| 2023

|

Dates| 18 February – 12 November
Champions| Machida Zelvia
Promoted| Machida Zelvia
Júbilo Iwata
Tokyo Verdy
Relegated| Omiya Ardija
Zweigen Kanazawa
Matches played| 462
Goals scored| 1,179 (2.55 per match)
Top goalscorer| Juanma
(26 goals)
Biggest home win| Shimizu S-Pulse 9–1 Iwaki FC
(7 May)
Biggest away win| Renofa Yamaguchi 0–6 Shimizu S-Pulse
(16 April)
V-Varen Nagasaki 0–6 Machida Zelvia
(23 September)
Iwaki FC 1–7 Shimizu S-Pulse
(21 October)
Highest scoring| Shimizu S-Pulse 9–1 Iwaki FC
(7 May)
Longest winning run| JEF United Chiba
(7 matches)
Longest unbeaten run| Shimizu S-Pulse
(13 matches)
Longest winless run| Omiya Ardija
(15 matches)
Longest losing run| Montedio Yamagata
(8 matches)
Highest attendance| 47,628
Shimizu S-Pulse 2–2 JEF United Chiba
(16 July)
Lowest attendance| 1,493
Thespakusatsu Gunma 1–1 Roasso Kumamoto
(5 July)
Total attendance| 3,189,482[1]
Average attendance| 6,904

← 2022

2024 →

The 2023 J2 League, also known as the 2023 Meiji Yasuda J2 League (Japanese: 2023 明治安田生命J2リーグ, Hepburn: 2023 Meiji Yasuda Seimei J2 Rīgu) for sponsorship reasons, was the 25th season of the J2 League, the second-tier Japanese professional league for association football clubs, since its establishment in 1999.

## Overview

[edit]

This was the last season to be played with 22 participating clubs, as the number of clubs was reduced to 20 from the 2024 season.[2]

FC Ryukyu and Iwate Grulla Morioka were relegated to the 2023 J3 League, finishing the previous J2 League season as 21st and 22nd-placed team, respectively.

Relegated from J1, both Shimizu S-Pulse and Júbilo Iwata were the only Shizuoka-based J1 teams last season. Now, they return to J2 after spending six and one season, respectively, at the top flight.

J3 winners Iwaki FC and runners-up Fujieda MYFC were both promoted from the J3 League. Both teams make their debut in J2 League, with Iwaki being promoted to the J2 just a season after being promoted to J3.

For the first time ever since the 2004 season, three teams from the same prefecture participate in the J2 League, as Shimizu S-Pulse, Júbilo Iwata and Fujieda MYFC are all based on Shizuoka Prefecture.

## Participating clubs

[edit]

Blaublitz Akita

Fagiano Okayama

Iwaki FC

Yamagata

Oita Trinita

Renofa

Roasso Kumamoto

Tokushima Vortis

Vegalta Sendai

Ventforet Kofu

V-Varen

Zweigen Kanazawa

Greater Tokyo Area

Shizuoka Prefecture

§ Shizuoka teams
Fujieda MYFC
Júbilo Iwata
Shimizu S-Pulse

† Greater Tokyo teams
Mito HollyHock
JEF United Chiba
Omiya Ardija
FC Machida Zelvia
Tokyo Verdy
Tochigi SC
Thespakusatsu Gunma

class=notpageimage|

Locations of the 2023 J2 League teams

Mito HollyHock

JEF United Chiba

Omiya Ardija

Machida Zelvia

Tokyo Verdy

Tochigi SC

Th. Gunma

class=notpageimage|

Greater Tokyo Area J2 League teams

Fujieda MYFC

Júbilo Iwata

Shimizu S-Pulse

class=notpageimage|

Shizuoka Prefecture J2 League teams

Club name | Hometown | Stadium | Capacity | Previous season rank | License

|
|
|
|
|

Blaublitz Akita | Akita | Soyu Stadium | 20,125  | J2 (12th)  | J1
Fagiano Okayama | All cities/towns in Okayama[a] | City Light Stadium | 20,000  | J2 (3rd)  | J1
Fujieda MYFC | Cities/towns in Shizuoka Prefecture | Fujieda Soccer Stadium | 13,000  |  J3 (2nd)  | J1
Iwaki FC | Iwaki and Futaba District, Fukushima | Iwaki Green Field | 5,600  |  J3 (1st)  | J1
JEF United Chiba | Chiba & Ichihara, Chiba | Fukuda Denshi Arena | 18,500  | J2 (10th)  | J1
Júbilo Iwata | Iwata, Shizuoka | Yamaha Stadium | 15,156  |  J1 (18th)  | J1
Machida Zelvia | Machida, Tokyo | Machida Athletic Stadium | 10,600  | J2 (15th)  | J1
Mito HollyHock | All cities/towns in central and northern Ibaraki[b] | K's denki Stadium Mito | 12,000  | J2 (13th)  | J1
Montedio Yamagata | All cities/towns in Yamagata[c] | ND Soft Stadium | 20,315  | J2 (6th)  | J1
Oita Trinita | Ōita Prefecture | Showa Denko Dome Oita | 40,000  | J2 (5th)  | J1
Omiya Ardija | Saitama, Saitama | NACK5 Stadium Omiya | 15,500  | J2 (19th)  | J1
Renofa Yamaguchi | All cities/towns in Yamaguchi | Yamaguchi Ishin Park Stadium | 20,000  | J2 (16th)  | J1
Roasso Kumamoto | Kumamoto, Kumamoto | Egao Kenko Stadium | 32,000  | J2 (4th)  | J1
Shimizu S-Pulse | Shizuoka | IAI Stadium Nihondaira | 20,339  |  J1 (17th)  | J1
Thespakusatsu Gunma | All cities/towns in Gunma[d] | Shoda Shoyu Stadium Gunma | 15,253  | J2 (20th)  | J1
Tochigi SC | Utsunomiya, Tochigi | Kanseki Stadium Tochigi | 25,244  | J2 (17th)  | J1
Tokushima Vortis | Tokushima Prefecture | Pocarisweat Stadium | 20,441  | J2 (8th)  | J1
Tokyo Verdy | All cities/towns in Tokyo | Ajinomoto Stadium | 49,970  | J2 (9th)  | J1
V-Varen Nagasaki | All cities/towns in Nagasaki Prefecture[e] | Nagasaki Athletic Stadium | 20,246  | J2 (11th)  | J1
Vegalta Sendai | Miyagi Prefecture | Yurtec Stadium Sendai | 19,694  | J2 (7th)  | J1
Ventforet Kofu | All cities/towns in Yamanashi Prefecture[f] | Yamanashi Chuo Bank Stadium | 17,000  | J2 (18th)  | J1
Zweigen Kanazawa | All cities/towns in Ishikawa[g] | Ishikawa Kanazawa Stadium | 20,000  | J2 (14th)  | J1

1. ^ centering on Okayama, Kurashiki, Tsuyama
2. ^ Mito, Hitachi, Hitachinaka, Kasama, Naka, Omitama, Hitachiota, Kitaibaraki, Hitachiomiya, Takahagi, Ibaraki, Shirosato, Oarai, Daigo, Tokai
3. ^ centering on Yamagata, Tendo, Tsuruoka
4. ^ centering on Kusatsu and Maebashi
5. ^ centering on Nagasaki and Isahaya
6. ^ centering on Kofu and Nirasaki
7. ^ centering on Kanazawa, Nonoichi, Kahoku, Tsubata, Tsubata

### Personnel and kits

[edit]

Club | Manager | Captain | Kit manufacturer  | Main shirt sponsor

|
|
|
|

Blaublitz Akita |  Ken Yoshida |  Ryutaro Iio |  Athleta | TDK
Fagiano Okayama |  Takashi Kiyama |  Yasutaka Takagi |  Penalty | GROP
Fujieda MYFC |  Daisuke Sudo |  Masahiko Sugita |  Gol.  | Seikan Kensa Center
Iwaki FC |  Yuzo Tamura |  Yuto Yamashita |  Under Armour | BHC
JEF United Chiba |  Yoshiyuki Kobayashi |  Daisuke Suzuki |  Hummel | Fuji Electric
Júbilo Iwata |  Akinobu Yokouchi |  Yuto Suzuki |  Admiral | Yamaha
Machida Zelvia |  Go Kuroda |  Masayuki Okuyama |  Adidas | CyberAgent
Mito HollyHock |  Yoshimi Hamasaki |  Takumi Kusumoto |  soccer junky  | K's Holdings
Montedio Yamagata |  Susumu Watanabe |  Shuto Minami |  Penalty | ABeam
Oita Trinita |  Takahiro Shimotaira |  Tsukasa Umesaki |  Puma | Daihatsu Kyushu
Omiya Ardija |  Masato Harasaki |  Yutaro Hakamata |  Under Armour | NTT Docomo
Renofa Yamaguchi |  Juan Esnáider |  Kensuke Sato |  Finta | upr
Roasso Kumamoto |  Takeshi Oki |  Rei Hirakawa |  Puma | Hirata
Shimizu S-Pulse |  Tadahiro Akiba |  Yoshinori Suzuki |  Puma | Suzuyo
Thespakusatsu Gunma |  Tsuyoshi Otsuki |  Hajime Hosogai |  Kelme | Cainz
Tochigi SC |  Yu Tokisaki |  Sho Sato |  Athleta | TKC
Tokushima Vortis |  Tatsuma Yoshida |  Yoichiro Kakitani |  Mizuno | Otsuka Pharmaceutical
(Pocari Sweat)
Tokyo Verdy |  Hiroshi Jofuku |  Koki Morita |  Athleta | Nicigas
V-Varen Nagasaki |  Fábio Carille |  Shunya Yoneda |  Umbro | Japanet
Vegalta Sendai |  Takafumi Hori |  Yuta Koide |  Adidas | Iris Ohyama
Ventforet Kofu |  Yoshiyuki Shinoda |  Hidehiro Sugai |  Mizuno | Hakubaku
Zweigen Kanazawa |  Masaaki Yanagishita |  Yuto Shirai |  Hummel | Hokkoku Shimbun

### Managerial changes

[edit]

Team | Outgoing | Manner | Exit date | Position in table | Incoming | Incoming date  | Ref.

|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Announced on | Departed on | Announced on | Arrived on
Shimizu S-Pulse | Zé Ricardo | Sacked  | 3 April 2023  | 19th  | Tadahiro Akiba | 4 April 2023  | [3]
Montedio Yamagata | Peter Cklamovski | 4 April 2023  | 18th  | Susumu Watanabe | 5 April 2023  | [4]
Renofa Yamaguchi | Yoshihiro Natsuka | Resigned  | 9 May 2023  | 18th  | Genki Nakayama (interim)  | 10 May 2023  | [5]
Omiya Ardija | Naoki Soma | 19 May 2023  | 22nd  | Masato Harasaki | 20 May 2023  | [6]
Renofa Yamaguchi | Genki Nakayama | End of interim spell  | 29 May 2023 | 7 June 2023  | 19th  | Juan Esnáider | 29 May 2023 | 8 June 2023  | [7]
Iwaki FC | Hiromasa Suguri | Sacked  | 14 June 2023  | 21st  | Yuzo Tamura | 15 June 2023  | [8]
Vegalta Sendai | Akira Ito | Sacked  | 12 July 2023  | 13th  | Takafumi Hori | 13 July 2023  | [9]
Tokushima Vortis | Beñat Labaien | Sacked  | 22 August 2023  | 19th  | Tatsuma Yoshida | 23 August 2023  | [10]

## Foreign players

[edit]

As of the 2023 season, there are no more restrictions on a number of signed foreign players, but clubs can only register up to five foreign players for a single match-day squad.[11] Players from J.League partner nations (Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Malaysia, Cambodia, Singapore, Indonesia and Qatar) are exempt from these restrictions.

* Players name in bold indicates the player is registered during the midseason transfer window.
* Player's name in italics indicates the player has Japanese nationality in addition to their FIFA nationality, or is exempt from being treated as a foreign player due to having been born in Japan and being enrolled in, or having graduated from school in the country.[12]

Club  | Player 1  | Player 2  | Player 3  | Player 4  | Player 5  | Player 6  | Player 7  | Player 8  | Left mid-season

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Blaublitz Akita |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Fagiano Okayama |  Lucão |  Tiago Alves |  Han Eui-kwon |  Stefan Mauk |  Jordy Buijs |  |  |  |
Fujieda MYFC |  Kauan |  Pedro Henrique |  Anderson Chaves  |  Naldinho |  |  |  |  |
Iwaki FC |  Nélson Machado |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
JEF United Chiba |  Mendes |  Dudu |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Júbilo Iwata |  Ricardo Graça |  Dudu Pacheco |  Fabián González |  Ri Kyong-su |  |  |  |  |
Machida Zelvia |  Erik |  Ademilson |  Mitchell Duke |  Jang Min-gyu |  Nedeljko Stojišić |  Byron Vásquez |  |  |
Mito HollyHock |  Jefferson Tabinas |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Montedio Yamagata |  Dellatorre |  Tiago Alves |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Oita Trinita |  Matheus Pereira |  Matheus Teixeira |  Derlan |  Samuel |  |  |  |  |
Omiya Ardija |  Rodrigo Angelotti |  Kaique |  Jakub Świerczok |  |  |  |  |  |
Renofa Yamaguchi |  Renan |  Sílvio |  Choi Hyun-chan |  Kim Byeom-yong |  |  |  |  |
Roasso Kumamoto |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Shimizu S-Pulse |  Carlinhos Júnior |  Thiago Santana |  Renato Augusto |  Ronaldo |  Benjamin Kololli |  Oh Se-hun |  |  |
Thespakusatsu Gunma |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Tochigi SC |  Juninho |  Rafael Costa |  Leandro Pereira |  Origbaajo Ismaila |  |  |  |  |
Tokushima Vortis |  Elsinho |  José Aurelio Suárez |  Luismi Quezada |  Hyon Rio |  |  |  |  |  Cacá
Oriola Sunday
Tokyo Verdy |  Matheus Vidotto |  Pratama Arhan |  |  |  |  |  |  |  Byron Vásquez
Mario Engels
V-Varen Nagasaki |  Caio César |  Edigar Junio |  Valdo |  Marcos Guilherme |  Matheus Jesus |  Juanma |  Carlos Gutiérrez |  Luka Radotić |  Clayson
Kaique
Cristiano
Vegalta Sendai |  Foguinho |  Ewerton |  Kim Tae-hyeon |  Heo Yong-joon |  Ryang Yong-gi |  |  |  |
Ventforet Kofu |  Eduardo Mancha |  Cristiano |  Lucas Macedo |  Peter Utaka |  Michael Woud |  |  |  |  Getúlio
Zweigen Kanazawa |  Léo Bahia |  Jefferson Baiano |  Park Jun-seo |  Taiga Son |  |  |  |  |

## League table

[edit]

Pos | Team

* v
* t
* e

| Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion or relegation

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

1  | Machida Zelvia (C, P) | 42  | 26  | 9  | 7  | 79  | 35  | +44  | 87  | Promotion to the 2024 J1 League
2  | Júbilo Iwata (P) | 42  | 21  | 12  | 9  | 74  | 44  | +30  | 75
3  | Tokyo Verdy (O, P) | 42  | 21  | 12  | 9  | 57  | 31  | +26  | 75  | Qualification for the promotion play-offs
4  | Shimizu S-Pulse | 42  | 20  | 14  | 8  | 78  | 34  | +44  | 74
5  | Montedio Yamagata | 42  | 21  | 4  | 17  | 64  | 54  | +10  | 67
6  | JEF United Chiba | 42  | 19  | 10  | 13  | 61  | 53  | +8  | 67
7  | V-Varen Nagasaki | 42  | 18  | 11  | 13  | 70  | 56  | +14  | 65  |
8  | Ventforet Kofu | 42  | 18  | 10  | 14  | 60  | 50  | +10  | 64
9  | Oita Trinita | 42  | 17  | 11  | 14  | 54  | 56  | −2  | 62
10  | Fagiano Okayama | 42  | 13  | 19  | 10  | 49  | 49  | 0  | 58
11  | Thespakusatsu Gunma | 42  | 14  | 15  | 13  | 44  | 44  | 0  | 57
12  | Fujieda MYFC | 42  | 14  | 10  | 18  | 61  | 72  | −11  | 52
13  | Blaublitz Akita | 42  | 12  | 15  | 15  | 37  | 44  | −7  | 51
14  | Roasso Kumamoto | 42  | 13  | 10  | 19  | 52  | 53  | −1  | 49
15  | Tokushima Vortis | 42  | 10  | 19  | 13  | 43  | 53  | −10  | 49
16  | Vegalta Sendai | 42  | 12  | 12  | 18  | 48  | 61  | −13  | 48
17  | Mito HollyHock | 42  | 11  | 14  | 17  | 49  | 66  | −17  | 47
18  | Iwaki FC | 42  | 12  | 11  | 19  | 45  | 69  | −24  | 47
19  | Tochigi SC | 42  | 10  | 14  | 18  | 39  | 47  | −8  | 44
20  | Renofa Yamaguchi | 42  | 10  | 14  | 18  | 37  | 67  | −30  | 44
21  | Omiya Ardija (R) | 42  | 11  | 6  | 25  | 37  | 71  | −34  | 39  | Relegation to 2024 J3 League
22  | Zweigen Kanazawa (R) | 42  | 9  | 8  | 25  | 41  | 70  | −29  | 35

Source: Meiji Yasuda J2 League, J.League Data Site
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Head-to-head points; 5) Head-to-head goal difference; 6) Head-to-head goal scored; 7) Fair-play points.
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated

## Play-offs

[edit]

The usual format was applied in the 2023 season. Promotion play-offs, officially called the 2023 J.League Road To J1 Play-offs (Japanese: 2023 J1昇格プレーオフ), was held from the semi-finals, where the match-ups were previously semi-determined. Based on the J2 placements at the end of the regular season, the third-placed team played against the sixth-placed, while the fourth-placed team played against the fifth-placed. The winners of the semi-finals played the final, with the winners promoted to the J1.

If a match was tied in the play-offs, the team with the higher rank won. The rank order was: J2's third, fourth, fifth, and sixth-placed teams.[13]

For the 2023 season, three teams were to be promoted to the 2024 J1 League with no relegation playoffs between the leagues.

| Semi-finals | | | Final |

|
|
|
|
|

|  |  |  | | |  |  |  |
| 3 | Tokyo Verdy | 2 | |
| 6 | JEF United Chiba | 1 |
| | 3 | Tokyo Verdy | 1 |
|  |
| | | 4 | Shimizu S-Pulse | 1 |
| 4 | Shimizu S-Pulse | 0 |

| 5 | Montedio Yamagata | 0 |

### Semi-finals

[edit]

25 November 2023 (2023-11-25)

13:03

Shimizu S-Pulse| 0–0| Montedio Yamagata

|
|

| Report |

IAI Stadium Nihondaira, Shimizu

Attendance: 15,742

Referee: Takuto Okabe

* * *

26 November 2023 (2023-11-26)

15:03

Tokyo Verdy| 2–1| JEF United Chiba

|
|

* Nakahara 34'
* Morita 44'

| Report | Komori 78'

Ajinomoto Stadium, Chōfu

Attendance: 25,150

Referee: Hajime Matsuo

### Final

[edit]

2 December 2023 (2023-12-02)

14:05

Tokyo Verdy| 1–1| Shimizu S-Pulse

|
|

Someno 90+6' (pen.) | Report | Thiago Santana 63' (pen.)

Japan National Stadium, Tokyo[14]

Attendance: 53,264

Referee: Akihiko Ikeuchi

## Season statistics

[edit]

### Goal contributions

[edit]

#### Top scorers

[edit]

Rank | Player | Club | Goals[15]

|
|
|

1  |  Juanma Delgado | V-Varen Nagasaki  | 26
2  |  Erik | Machida Zelvia  | 18
3  |  Carlinhos Júnior | Shimizu S-Pulse  | 15
4  |  Hiiro Komori | JEF United Chiba  | 13
Kaito Mori | Tokushima Vortis
Tiago Alves | Montedio Yamagata
Ryo Watanabe | Fujieda MYFC

#### Top assists

[edit]

Rank | Player | Club | Assists[16]

|
|
|

1  |  Takashi Inui | Shimizu S-Pulse  | 10
Yuto Suzuki | Júbilo Iwata
3  |  Rei Hirakawa | Roasso Kumamoto  | 9
Ryo Sato | Thespakusatsu Gunma
Hidetoshi Takeda | Mito HollyHock

#### Clean sheets

[edit]

Rank | Player | Club | Clean sheets[17]

|
|
|

1  |  Matheus Vidotto | Tokyo Verdy  | 23
2  |  Shuichi Gonda | Shimizu S-Pulse  | 19
3  |  Masatoshi Kushibiki | Thespakusatsu Gunma  | 16
4  |  Kentaro Kakoi | Blaublitz Akita  | 14
5  |  Go Hatano | V-Varen Nagasaki  | 11
William Popp | Machida Zelvia
José Aurelio Suárez | Tokushima Vortis

### Discipline

[edit]

#### Player

[edit]

* Most yellow cards: 11[18]
* Juanma Delgado (V-Varen Nagasaki)
* Most red cards: 2 [19]
* Ryo Endo (Iwaki FC)
* So Nakagawa (Fujieda MYFC)
* Pereira (Oita Trinita)
* Kotaro Yamahara (Fujieda MYFC)

#### Club

[edit]

* Most yellow cards: 69 [20] (V-Varen Nagasaki)
* Most red cards: 7 [21] (Fujieda MYFC)

## Awards

[edit]

### Monthly awards

[edit]

Month  | Manager of the Month  | Monthly MVP | Goal of the Month  | Refs.

|
|
|
|

Manager | Club | Player | Club | Player | Club
February/March  |  Go Kuroda | Machida Zelvia  |  Erik | Machida Zelvia  |  Akira Silvano Disaro | Shimizu S-Pulse  | [22]
April  |  Fábio Carille | V-Varen Nagasaki  |  Juanma Delgado | V-Varen Nagasaki  |  Shunta Araki | Machida Zelvia  | [23][24][25]
May  |  Go Kuroda | Machida Zelvia  |  Kaito Mori | Tokushima Vortis  |  Shunya Yoneda | V-Varen Nagasaki  | [26]
June  |  Akinobu Yokouchi | Júbilo Iwata  |  Erik | Machida Zelvia  |  Kaito Umeda | Mito HollyHock  | [27][28][29]
July  |  Yuzo Tamura | Iwaki FC  |  Hiroto Iwabuchi | Iwaki FC  |  Takashi Inui | Shimizu S-Pulse  | [30][31][32]
August  |  Tadahiro Akiba | Shimizu S-Pulse  |  Yoshinori Suzuki | Shimizu S-Pulse  |  Keita Nakamura | V-Varen Nagasaki  | [33][34][35]
September  |  Yoshiyuki Kobayashi | JEF United Chiba  |  Taishi Taguchi | JEF United Chiba  |  Junya Suzuki | Machida Zelvia  | [36][37][38]
October  |  Hiroshi Jofuku | Tokyo Verdy  |  Zento Uno | Machida Zelvia  |  Kazaki Nakagawa | Fujieda MYFC  | [39][40][41]
November  |  Akinobu Yokouchi | Júbilo Iwata  |  Masaya Matsumoto | Júbilo Iwata  |  Hikaru Nakahara | Tokyo Verdy  | [42]

## Attendances

[edit]

# | Football club | Home games | Average attendance[43]

|
|
|

1 | Shimizu S-Pulse | 21 | 12,083
2 | Vegalta Sendai | 21 | 9,495
3 | Júbilo Iwata | 21 | 9,447
4 | JEF United | 21 | 8,675
5 | Oita Trinita | 21 | 8,083
6 | Tokyo Verdy | 21 | 8,070
7 | Montedio Yamagata | 21 | 7,490
8 | Machida Zelvia | 21 | 7,478
9 | Fagiano Okayama | 21 | 7,248
10 | Ventforet Kofu | 21 | 7,045
11 | V-Varen Nagasaki | 21 | 6,760
12 | Omiya Ardija | 21 | 6,675
13 | Tochigi SC | 21 | 6,282
14 | Roasso Kumamoto | 21 | 6,251
15 | Tokushima Vortis | 21 | 6,002
16 | Mito HollyHock | 21 | 5,262
17 | Zweigen Kanazawa | 21 | 5,235
18 | Renofa Yamaguchi | 21 | 5,214
19 | Fujieda MYFC | 21 | 5,062
20 | Iwaki FC | 21 | 4,878
21 | Thespakusatsu Gunma | 21 | 4,876
22 | Blaublitz Akita | 21 | 4,388

## See also

[edit]

National association

* Japan Football Association (JFA)

League

* Japanese association football league system
* J.League
* 2023 J1 League
* 2023 J3 League
* 2023 Japan Football League

Cup

* 2023 Emperor's Cup (national open cup)

* Asia portal
* Japan portal
* Sports portal
* Association football portal

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "２０２３明治安田生命Ｊ２リーグ". data.j-league.or.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 12 September 2023.
2. ^ "League Structure and Competition Format from 2024 Season Unify the number of clubs in each category to 20 League Cup changed to a knockout competition with participation of all J1, J2 and J3 clubs". Japan Professional Football League. 21 December 2022. Retrieved 9 February 2023.
3. ^ "秋葉 忠宏 監督就任のお知らせ" (in Japanese). 3 April 2023. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
4. ^ "トップチーム監督交代のお知らせ" (in Japanese). 4 April 2023. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
5. ^ "名塚善寛監督および石原正康GM退任のお知らせ" (in Japanese). 9 May 2023. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
6. ^ "監督交代のお知らせ" (in Japanese). 19 May 2023. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
7. ^ "フアン エスナイデル 監督就任のお知らせ" (in Japanese). 29 May 2023. Retrieved 29 May 2023.
8. ^ "監督交代のお知らせ" (in Japanese). 14 June 2023. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
9. ^ "堀孝史 監督就任のお知らせ" (in Japanese). 13 July 2023. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
10. ^ "トップチーム監督交代について" (in Japanese). 22 August 2023. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
11. ^ "「ホームグロウン制度」の導入と「外国籍選手枠」の変更について". J.LEAGUE.jp. Archived from the original on 2022-11-26. Retrieved 2022-11-24.
12. ^ "プロサッカー選手の契約、登録および移籍に関する規則" (PDF). jfa.jp.
13. ^ "2023 J1昇格プレーオフ 出場チーム決定！". JLeague.jp (in Japanese). Japan Professional Football League. 12 November 2023.
14. ^ "2023 J1昇格プレーオフ決勝進出時の会場について". Verdy.co.jp (in Japanese). Tokyo Verdy. 14 November 2023. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
15. ^ "Goals". Japan Professional Football League. Retrieved 25 November 2022.
16. ^ "Assists". Japan Professional Football League. Retrieved 25 November 2022.
17. ^ "Clean Sheets (GK)". Japan Professional Football League. Retrieved 25 November 2022.
18. ^ "J2 2022 Yellow cards". Japan Professional Football League. Retrieved 25 November 2022.
19. ^ "J2 2022 Red Cards". Japan Professional Football League. Retrieved 25 November 2022.
20. ^ "Club yellow cards". Japan Professional Football League. Retrieved 25 November 2022.
21. ^ "Club red cards". Japan Professional Football League. Retrieved 25 November 2022.
22. ^ "2・3月度「２０２３明治安田生命Ｊリーグ KONAMI月間MVP」を発表！「２０２３明治安田生命ＪリーグKONAMI月間ベストゴール」、「月間優秀監督賞」も決定！". jleague.jp. Japan Professional Football League. 18 April 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
23. ^ "Michael Skibbe wins Manager of the Month for April after leading Sanfrecce into title hunt". JLeague.co. Japan Professional Football League. 16 May 2023. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
24. ^ "Ryoma Watanabe's breathtaking finish wins Konami Goal of the Month for April". JLeague.co. Japan Professional Football League. 16 May 2023. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
25. ^ "Douglas Vieira wins April Konami Monthly MVP for goal scoring heroics". JLeague.co. Japan Professional Football League. 16 May 2023. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
26. ^ "5月度「２０２３明治安田生命Ｊリーグ KONAMI月間MVP」を発表！「２０２３明治安田生命ＪリーグKONAMI月間ベストゴール」、「月間優秀監督賞」も決定！". JLeague.co. Japan Professional Football League. 13 June 2023. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
27. ^ "Dani Poyatos named Manager of the Month after guiding Gamba to sensational June". JLeague.co. Japan Professional Football League. 18 July 2023. Retrieved 18 July 2023.
28. ^ "Yoshinori Muto named Konami Monthly MVP after scintillating June". JLeague.co. Japan Professional Football League. 18 July 2023. Retrieved 18 July 2023.
29. ^ "Takumu Kawamura wins Konami Goal of the Month for electric run and finish". JLeague.co. Japan Professional Football League. 18 July 2023. Retrieved 18 July 2023.
30. ^ "Shigetoshi Hasebe wins Manager of the Month after Avispa Fukuoka's perfect July". JLeague.co. Japan Professional Football League. 15 August 2023. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
31. ^ "Yuya Osako wins Konami Monthly MVP again as Vissel star takes July honorse". JLeague.co. Japan Professional Football League. 15 August 2023. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
32. ^ "Ken Iwao's half-field goal takes home Konami Goal of the Month for July". JLeague.co. Japan Professional Football League. 15 August 2023. Retrieved 16 August 2023. "In J2, Konami Goal of the Month went to Shimizu S-Pulse's Takashi Inui."
33. ^ "Daiki Iwamasa wins Manager of the Month after guiding Kashima up table in August". JLeague.co. Japan Professional Football League. 12 September 2023. Retrieved 20 September 2023.
34. ^ "Yuta Higuchi wins Konami Monthly MVP for romping August". JLeague.co. Japan Professional Football League. 12 September 2023. Retrieved 20 September 2023.
35. ^ "Marcos Júnior's amazing move wins him Konami Goal of the Month for Augusty". JLeague.co. Japan Professional Football League. 12 September 2023. Retrieved 20 September 2023.
36. ^ "Shigetoshi Hasebe named Manager of the Month for Fukuoka's terrific September". JLeague.co. Japan Professional Football League. 17 October 2023. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
37. ^ "Kazuya Konno wins Konami Monthly MVP for spectacular September". JLeague.co. Japan Professional Football League. 17 October 2023. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
38. ^ "Shunsuke Mito's silky move wins him Konami Goal of the Month for September". JLeague.co. Japan Professional Football League. 17 October 2023. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
39. ^ "Yamaguchi wins Manager of the Month for Bellmare's outstanding October | News". J.LEAGUE. Retrieved 3 December 2023.
40. ^ "Daiki Tomii's heroics in Bellmare goal win him Konami Monthly MVP for October | News". J.LEAGUE. Retrieved 3 December 2023.
41. ^ "Tawaratsumida's spectacular solo effort wins Konami Goal of the Month for October | News". J.LEAGUE. Retrieved 3 December 2023.
42. ^ "Matsumoto wins J2 Konami Monthly MVP for November, Nakahara earns Goal of the Month". JLeague.co. Japan Professional Football League. 21 November 2023. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
43. ^ https://www.worldfootball.net/attendance/jpn-j2-league-2023/3/

## External links

[edit]

* Official website on jleague.co (in English)

* v
* t
* e

J.League

Champions (J1 League · J2 League · J3 League) · Records and statistics · Historical goals

Seasons|

| J1 League seasons
(1993–present)|

* 1993
* 1994
* 1995
* 1996
* 1997
* 1998
* 1999
* 2000
* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024
* 2025

|

J2 League seasons
(1999–present)|

* 1999
* 2000
* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024
* 2025

J3 League seasons
(2014–present)|

* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024
* 2025

Clubs|

| J1 League|

* Albirex Niigata
* Avispa Fukuoka
* Cerezo Osaka
* Fagiano Okayama
* Gamba Osaka
* Kashima Antlers
* Kashiwa Reysol
* Kawasaki Frontale
* Kyoto Sanga FC
* FC Machida Zelvia
* Nagoya Grampus
* Sanfrecce Hiroshima
* Shimizu S-Pulse
* Shonan Bellmare
* FC Tokyo
* Tokyo Verdy
* Urawa Red Diamonds
* Vissel Kobe
* Yokohama F. Marinos
* Yokohama FC

|

J2 League|

* Blaublitz Akita
* Ehime FC
* Fujieda MYFC
* Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo
* FC Imabari
* Iwaki FC
* JEF United Chiba
* Júbilo Iwata
* Kataller Toyama
* Mito HollyHock
* Montedio Yamagata
* Oita Trinita
* Omiya Ardija
* Renofa Yamaguchi FC
* Roasso Kumamoto
* Sagan Tosu
* Tokushima Vortis
* V-Varen Nagasaki
* Vegalta Sendai
* Ventforet Kofu

J3 League|

* AC Nagano Parceiro
* Azul Claro Numazu
* Fukushima United FC
* Gainare Tottori
* FC Gifu
* Giravanz Kitakyushu
* Kagoshima United FC
* Kamatamare Sanuki
* Kochi United SC
* Matsumoto Yamaga FC
* Nara Club
* FC Osaka
* FC Ryukyu
* SC Sagamihara
* Tegevajaro Miyazaki
* Thespa Gunma
* Tochigi City FC
* Tochigi SC
* Vanraure Hachinohe
* Zweigen Kanazawa

Former|

* YSCC Yokohama
* Yokohama Flügels
* J.League U-22 Selection
* Iwate Grulla Morioka
* FC Tokyo U-23
* Gamba Osaka U-23
* Cerezo Osaka U-23

Players|

* Designated special players (DSP)
* Foreign J.League players

Managers|

* J.League managers
* current

Referees|

* J.League referees

Awards (Monthly MVP · MVP Award · Best XI · Top Scorer · Rookie of the Year · Manager of the Year)

* v
* t
* e

Japanese club football

First-tier club football seasons, 1965–present

| Japan Soccer League
1965–1992
Japan Soccer League Division 1
since 1972|

* 1965
* 1966
* 1967
* 1968
* 1969
* 1970
* 1971
* 1972
* 1973
* 1974
* 1975
* 1976
* 1977
* 1978
* 1979
* 1980
* 1981
* 1982
* 1983
* 1984
* 1985–86
* 1986–87
* 1987–88
* 1988–89
* 1989–90
* 1990–91
* 1991–92

|

J.League
1993–present
J.League Division 1/J1 League
since 1999|

* 1993
* 1994
* 1995
* 1996
* 1997
* 1998
* 1999
* 2000
* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024
* 2025

* List of champions
* J.League Championship
* Promotion / Relegation series
* Super Cup

Second-tier club football seasons, 1972–present

| Japan Soccer League Division 2
1972–1992|

* 1972
* 1973
* 1974
* 1975
* 1976
* 1977
* 1978
* 1979
* 1980
* 1981
* 1982
* 1983
* 1984
* 1985–86
* 1986–87
* 1987–88
* 1988–89
* 1989–90
* 1990–91
* 1991–92

|

(former) Japan Football League
1992–1998
(former) Japan Football League Division 1
1992–1993|

* 1992
* 1993
* 1994
* 1995
* 1996
* 1997
* 1998

J2 League
1999–present|

* 1999
* 2000
* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024
* 2025

* List of champions
* Promotion / Relegation series

Third-tier club football seasons, 1992–93, 1999–present

| (former) Japan Football League Division 2
1992–93|

* 1992
* 1993

|

* No national third tier, 1994–1998

Japan Football League
1999–2013|

* 1999
* 2000
* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013

J3 League
2014–present|

* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024
* 2025

List of champions

Fourth-tier club football seasons, 2014–present

| Japan Football League
2014–present|

* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024
* 2025

|

Regional level club football seasons, 1966–present

| Japanese Regional Leagues
1966–present|

* 1966
* 1967
* 1968
* 1969
* 1970
* 1971
* 1972
* 1973
* 1974
* 1975
* 1976
* 1977
* 1978
* 1979
* 1980
* 1981
* 1982
* 1983
* 1984
* 1985
* 1986
* 1987
* 1988
* 1989
* 1990
* 1991
* 1992
* 1993
* 1994
* 1995
* 1996
* 1997
* 1998
* 1999
* 2000
* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024
* 2025

|

* Regional Champions League
* Shakaijin Cup

Emperor's Cup seasons, 1921–present

| Emperor's Cup
1921–present|

* 1921
* 1922
* 1923
* 1924
* 1925
* ~~1926~~
* 1927
* 1928
* 1929
* 1930
* 1931
* 1932
* 1933
* ~~1934~~
* 1935
* 1936
* 1937
* 1938
* 1939
* 1940
* WW II
* 1946
* ~~1947~~
* ~~1948~~
* 1949
* 1950
* 1951
* 1952
* 1953
* 1954
* 1955
* 1956
* 1957
* 1958
* 1959
* 1960
* 1961
* 1962
* 1963
* 1964
* 1965
* 1966
* 1967
* 1968
* 1969
* 1970
* 1971
* 1972
* 1973
* 1974
* 1975
* 1976
* 1977
* 1978
* 1979
* 1980
* 1981
* 1982
* 1983
* 1984
* 1985
* 1986
* 1987
* 1988
* 1989
* 1990
* 1991
* 1992
* 1993
* 1994
* 1995
* 1996
* 1997
* 1998
* 1999
* 2000
* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024
* 2025

|

Super Cup

League Cup seasons, 1976–present

| JSL Cup
1976–1991|

* 1976
* 1977
* 1978
* 1979
* 1980
* 1981
* 1982
* 1983
* 1984
* 1985
* 1986
* 1987
* 1988
* 1989
* 1990
* 1991

|

J.League Cup
1992–present|

* 1992
* 1993
* 1994
* 1995
* 1996
* 1997
* 1998
* 1999
* 2000
* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024
* 2025

Suruga Bank Championship

Football clubs in Japan, 2025

| J1 League|

* Albirex Niigata
* Avispa Fukuoka
* Cerezo Osaka
* Fagiano Okayama
* Gamba Osaka
* Kashima Antlers
* Kashiwa Reysol
* Kawasaki Frontale
* Kyoto Sanga FC
* FC Machida Zelvia
* Nagoya Grampus
* Sanfrecce Hiroshima
* Shimizu S-Pulse
* Shonan Bellmare
* FC Tokyo
* Tokyo Verdy
* Urawa Red Diamonds
* Vissel Kobe
* Yokohama F. Marinos
* Yokohama FC

|

J2 League|

* Blaublitz Akita
* Ehime FC
* Fujieda MYFC
* Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo
* FC Imabari
* Iwaki FC
* JEF United Chiba
* Júbilo Iwata
* Kataller Toyama
* Mito HollyHock
* Montedio Yamagata
* Oita Trinita
* Omiya Ardija
* Renofa Yamaguchi FC
* Roasso Kumamoto
* Sagan Tosu
* Tokushima Vortis
* V-Varen Nagasaki
* Vegalta Sendai
* Ventforet Kofu

J3 League|

* AC Nagano Parceiro
* Azul Claro Numazu
* FC Gifu
* Fukushima United FC
* Gainare Tottori
* Giravanz Kitakyushu
* Kagoshima United FC
* Kamatamare Sanuki
* Kochi United
* Matsumoto Yamaga FC
* Nara Club
* FC Osaka
* FC Ryukyu
* SC Sagamihara
* Tegevajaro Miyazaki
* Thespa Gunma
* Tochigi City
* Tochigi SC
* Vanraure Hachinohe
* Zweigen Kanazawa

100 Year Plan clubs|

* Criacao Shinjuku
* Nankatsu SC
* Tokyo 23
* Vonds Ichihara

Japan Football League|

* Asuka FC
* Atletico Suzuka Club
* Briobecca Urayasu Ichikawa
* Criacao Shinjuku
* Honda FC
* Iwate Grulla Morioka
* Maruyasu Okazaki
* Minebea Mitsumi
* Okinawa SV
* Reilac Shiga
* ReinMeer Aomori
* FC Tiamo Hirakata
* Veertien Mie
* Verspah Oita
* Yokogawa Musashino
* YSCC Yokohama

Defunct clubs
(clubs belonging to
nationwide leagues only)|

* Sony Sendai
* Fukushima FC
* Arte Takasaki
* JEF Reserves
* Sagawa Express Tokyo
* NKK SC
* Yokohama Flügels
* ALO's Hokuriku
* Jatco SC
* Hagoromo Club
* Toyota Higashi-Fuji
* Seino Transportation
* Cosmo Oil Yokkaichi
* Sagawa Shiga
* NTT Kinki/Kansai
* SP Kyoto
* Tanabe Pharmaceutical
* Dainichi Cable Industries
* Sagawa Express Osaka
* Eidai SC
* Kagura Shimane
* Teijin SC
* Nippon Steel Yawata
* Tosu Futures
* Profesor Miyazaki
* J.League U-22 Selection
* FC Tokyo U-23
* Cerezo Osaka U-23
* Gamba Osaka U-23

* v
* t
* e

2023 in Japanese football

« 2022

2024 »

Domestic leagues|

| Men|

* J1 League
* J2 League
* J3 League
* Japan Football League
* Regional Leagues

|

Women|

* WE League
* 2022–23
* 2023–24
* Nadeshiko League
* Division 1
* Division 2

Domestic cups|

| Men|

* Emperor's Cup
* YBC Levain Cup
* Fujifilm Super Cup
* Shakaijin Cup

|

Women|

* Empress's Cup
* WE League Cup
* 2022–23
* 2023–24

Continental cups|

| Men|

* AFC Champions League
* 2022–23
* 2023–24

|

Women|

* AFC Women's Club Championship

Domestic youth cups|

| Men's U-18|

* Prince Takamado Trophy JFA U-18 Football Premier League

|

National teams|

| Men|

| Senior|

* Kirin Challenge Cup
* FIFA World Cup qualification

|

U-22|

* AFC U-23 Asian Cup qualification
* Asian Games

U-20|

* AFC U-20 Asian Cup
* FIFA U-20 World Cup

U-19|

* Maurice Revello Tournament

U-18|

* SBS Cup International Youth Soccer
* Ibaraki Next Generation Cup

U-17|

* AFC U-17 Asian Cup

U-16|

* Montaigu Tournament
* U-16 International Dream Cup

U-15|

* Pinatar Arena U15 Supercup

Women|

| Senior|

* SheBelieves Cup
* MS&AD Cup
* FIFA Women's World Cup
* Asian Games
* AFC Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament

|

U-19|

* Sud Ladies Cup

U-16|

* JENESYS U-17 Women’s Football Memorial Cup
* Montaigu Tournament

Club seasons

J1 League|

* Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo
* Kashima Antlers
* Urawa Red Diamonds
* Kashiwa Reysol
* FC Tokyo
* Kawasaki Frontale
* Yokohama F. Marinos
* Yokohama FC
* Shonan Bellmare
* Albirex Niigata
* Nagoya Grampus
* Kyoto Sanga FC
* Gamba Osaka
* Cerezo Osaka
* Vissel Kobe
* Sanfrecce Hiroshima
* Avispa Fukuoka
* Sagan Tosu

J2 League|

* Vegalta Sendai
* Blaublitz Akita
* Montedio Yamagata
* Iwaki FC
* Mito HollyHock
* Tochigi SC
* Thespakusatsu Gunma
* Omiya Ardija
* JEF United Chiba
* Tokyo Verdy
* FC Machida Zelvia
* Ventforet Kofu
* Zweigen Kanazawa
* Shimizu S-Pulse
* Júbilo Iwata
* Fujieda MYFC
* Fagiano Okayama
* Renofa Yamaguchi
* Tokushima Vortis
* V-Varen Nagasaki
* Roasso Kumamoto
* Oita Trinita

J3 League|

* Vanraure Hachinohe<
* Iwate Grulla Morioka
* Fukushima United FC
* YSCC Yokohama
* SC Sagamihara
* Matsumoto Yamaga FC
* Nagano Parceiro
* Kataller Toyama
* Azul Claro Numazu
* FC Gifu
* FC Osaka
* Nara Club
* Gainare Tottori
* Kamatamare Sanuki
* Ehime FC
* FC Imabari
* Giravanz Kitakyushu
* Tegevajaro Miyazaki
* Kagoshima United FC
* FC Ryukyu

Japanese football transfers
Winter: J1, J2, J3, JFL
Summer: J1, J2, J3, JFL
*[Manner]: Manner of departure
*[Ref.]: References
*[Pos]: Position
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template
*[Pld]: Played
*[W]: Won
*[D]: Drawn
*[L]: Lost
*[GF]: Goals for
*[GA]: Goals against
*[GD]: Goal difference
*[Pts]: Points