Japan Football League

For the defunct former league of the same name, see Japan Football League (1992–1998).

Football league

Japan Football League

Founded| 1999; 26 years ago (1999)
Country| Japan
Confederation| AFC
Number of clubs| 16
Level on pyramid| 4
Promotion to| J2 League (1999–2013)
J3 League (2014–present)
Relegation to| Japanese Regional Leagues
Domestic cup(s)| Emperor's Cup
Current champions| Tochigi City FC (1st title)
(2024)
Most championships| Honda FC (10 titles)
Website| www.jfl.or.jp
Current: 2025 Japan Football League

The Japan Football League (Japanese: 日本フットボールリーグ, Hepburn: Nihon Futtobōru Rīgu), also known as simply the JFL, is the 4th tier of the Japanese association football league system, positioned beneath the three divisions of the J.League. The league features fully professional teams that hold J.League associate membership among its ranks.

## Relationship and position of J. League and Japan Football League (JFL)

[edit]

According to the official document published in December 2013 when the J3 League was established, the J3 League was the 3rd level of the J.League. The J.League and non-J.League amateur leagues have different hierarchical structures, and the J3 League was ranked on the same level as the JFL. In addition, the JFL itself has the same recognition in the material showing the league composition on the official website.[1] Therefore, the JFL is treated as equal to J3 in theory, but in practice it is considered equivalent to a 4th division.

## History

[edit]

The Japan Football League started from the 1999 season when the second division of J.League (J2) was also born. Until then, J.League consisted of only one division and the former JFL was the second highest division. Out of 16 teams who played the last season of the former JFL, 9 decided and were accepted to play in J2 and the other 7 teams as well as Yokogawa Electric, the winners of the Regional League Promotion Series, formed the new Japan Football League. These 8 teams together with Yokohama FC that was allowed to participate as a special case after the merger of Yokohama Flügels and Yokohama Marinos competed in the inaugural 1999 season.

The 9 teams that competed in the first season were as follows: Denso SC, Honda Motors, Jatco SC, Kokushikan University F.C., Mito HollyHock, Otsuka Pharmaceuticals, Sony Sendai, Yokohama FC and Yokogawa Electric.

In the second season the number of clubs was increased from 9 to 12, reaching 16 in 2001. In 2002 it was briefly 18 clubs before going back to 16 the next season and settling for good at 18 in 2006. For the 2012 season it had 17 clubs due to the late withdrawal of Arte Takasaki.

The league suffered another contraction after 2013 season, as 10 of its 18 teams joined the newly created J3 League. It also moved a tier down the pyramid, making it fourth-tier league since 2014.

Five former JFL clubs have competed in the top flight: Yokohama FC (2007, 2020, 2021 & 2023), Otsuka Pharmaceuticals (2014 & 2021 as Tokushima Vortis), Matsumoto Yamaga (2015 & 2019), V-Varen Nagasaki (2018), and Machida Zelvia (since 2024). Fagiano Okayama is the next to do so (in 2025).

When the J.League decided in 2023 on a transition to an autumn–spring season from 2026, starting in August and finishing in May of the following year,[2] the JFL announced in 2024 its approval of adopting the same season as the J.League's,[3] making the 2025 season the last to be within a calendar year.

## Overview

[edit]

JFL clubs may be affiliated to companies, or be entirely autonomous clubs or reserve teams of these. Until 2010, university clubs (which as a rule do not play in the Japanese football league system) were recommended by the Japan University Football Association and played off against bottom JFL teams for entrance. B-teams are allowed to participate but only A-squads of truly autonomous clubs are eligible for J.League associate membership, and with it, promotion to the J.League.

### Promotion from JFL

[edit]

A club that satisfied the following criteria was promoted to J.League Div. 2 (for the 2012 and 2013 seasons):

* Had J.League associate membership
* Finished the season in the top two in JFL
* If only the champion had been an associate member, it was automatically promoted.
* If both the champion and runner-up had been associate members, the champion is automatically promoted and the runner-up plays a promotion/relegation series against the second-to-last club in the J2.
* If only the runner-up had been an associate member, it plays the promotion/relegation series against the last club in the J2.
* Passed the final inspection by the J.League Committee.

With the establishment of the J3 League in the 2014 season, the top 2 requirements are no longer necessary should a team that is approved by J.League Committee and is a J.League associate member. However, they start in the J3 instead. The JFL is the highest tier of amateur level football in Japan again, but they still serve the purpose of helping potential J.League clubs to participate in the J3.

At a J.League board meeting in August 2021, 60 clubs, of which 20 are J3, were targeted for the entire league, and a possibility that J3 would have exceeded 20 clubs by the 2023 season was brought up. Mitsuru Murai, the J.League chairman, revealed that he was discussing how to adjust to 20 clubs. At this time, he was asked, "If there is a possibility of the [J3] league having 21 teams, is it okay to understand that there are teams that will fall from J3 to JFL?" While under consideration, he admitted that the J3 and JFL were considering the introduction of relegation to the latter league as early as after the 2022 season.[4] Later in November, Murai announced that promotion from and relegation to the JFL had been planned for the end of 2023.[5]

In early January 2023, the J.League introduced the J3–JFL promotion/relegation playoffs, enabling the possibility for teams to be relegated from the J3.[6] The system of promotion and relegation between the J3 and the JFL can be determined by the eligibility (promotion to J3 requires a J.League license) of the JFL's champions and runners-up for the season.

* If only the JFL champions hold a license, they replace automatically the J3's 20th-placed team.
* If only the JFL runners-up hold a license, there are promotion/relegation playoffs with the J3's 20th-placed team.
* If both the JFL champions and runners-up hold a license, there is automatic exchange between the JFL champions and the J3's 20th-placed team, and the runners-up compete in two-legged playoffs with the J3's 19th-placed team.
* If both the JFL champions and runners-up do not hold a license, no exchange takes place; the teams placed third and below in the league standings, even if one of them holds a J3 license, are not entitled to promotion and the playoffs.

### Relegation from JFL

[edit]

The team at the bottom of the league faces a direct relegation, exchanging its place with Regional League promotion competition winner, with the team ranked 15th playing the relegation/promotion play-off against the team finishing second in that competition. The number of teams relegated varies depending on the outcome of the play-off or the number of teams withdrawn from the JFL.

### Emperor's Cup eligibility

[edit]

Until 2008, only the club at the top of the standings at half-season (17 matches completed) was qualified for the Emperor's Cup, entering it at the third round along with the clubs in J2, but the allotment was widened to the top three clubs in 2010 due to the expansion of J2. Every other club must qualify through a qualifying cup in their own prefecture and then must enter at the first round. In 2015, only the winner of the apertura (first half) qualified.

### JFL XI

[edit]

In 1999 (Bangabandhu Cup) and from 2014 to 2019, a JFL XI team played off-season matches against guest teams. The 2016 season also featured an JFL East vs JFL West all-star encounter.

## 2025 season

[edit]

Main article: 2025 Japan Football League

### Competition format

[edit]

The league follows a one-stage double round-robin, wherein the team finishing at the top of the table following the season is declared the champion. From 2014 to 2018 it used the Apertura and Clausura system, with two winners of each stage contesting the championship in the playoff. From 2019 it used the single table with double round-robin system to 30 matches.

### Participating clubs

[edit]

Honda FC

Iwate Grulla Morioka

Maruyasu Okazaki

Minebea Mitsumi FC

Okinawa SV

ReinMeer Aomori

Verspah Oita

YSCC Yokohama

Tokyo City Area†

† Tokyo City Area teams
Briobecca Urayasu
Ichikawa
Criacao Shinjuku
Yokogawa Musashino FC

Kansai Region‡

‡ Kansai Region teams
Asuka FC
Atletico Suzuka
Tiamo Hirakata
Reilac Shiga
Veertien Mie

class=notpageimage|

Locations of the 2025 Japan Football League teams

Briobecca Urayasu Ichikawa

Criacao Shinjuku

Yokogawa Musashino FC

class=notpageimage|

Tokyo City Area Japan Football League Teams

Reilac Shiga

Asuka FC

Atletico Suzuka

Tiamo Hirakata

Veertien Mie

class=notpageimage|

Kansai Region Japan Football League Teams

Club name | First season
in JFL | Seasons
in JFL | Home town(s) | Current spell
in JFL | Last
title | Qualifiable base
for J.League

|
|
|
|
|
|

Asuka FC | 2025  | 0  | Kashihara, Nara | 2025–  | –  | No
Atletico Suzuka | 2019  | 6  | Suzuka, Mie | 2019–  | –  | No
Briobecca Urayasu Ichikawa | 2016  | 4  | Urayasu, Chiba | 2023–  | –  | No
Criacao Shinjuku | 2022  | 3  | Shinjuku, Tokyo | 2022–  | –  | Yes
Honda FC | 1999  | 26  | Hamamatsu, Shizuoka | 1999–  | 2023  | No
Iwate Grulla Morioka | 2025  | 0  | Morioka, Iwate | 2025–  | –  | Yes
Maruyasu Okazaki | 2014  | 11  | Okazaki, Aichi | 2014–  | –  | No
Minebea Mitsumi | 2005  | 18  | Miyazaki, Miyazaki | 2009–  | –  | No
Okinawa SV | 2023  | 2  | Uruma, Okinawa | 2023–  | –  | No
Reilac Shiga | 2008  | 17  | Hikone, Shiga | 2008–  | –  | Yes
ReinMeer Aomori | 2016  | 9  | Aomori, Aomori | 2016–  | –  | Yes
Tiamo Hirakata | 2021  | 4  | Hirakata, Osaka | 2021–  | –  | No
Veertien Mie | 2017  | 8  | Kuwana, Mie | 2017–  | –  | Yes
Verspah Oita | 2012  | 13  | Beppu, Ōita | 2012–  | 2020  | Yes
Yokogawa Musashino | 1999  | 26  | Musashino, Tokyo | 1999–  | –  | No
YSCC Yokohama | 2012  | 2  | Yokohama, Kanagawa | 2025–  | –  | Yes

* Pink background denotes clubs that were most recently promoted from Japanese Regional Leagues through the regional league promotion tournament.
* Gray background indicates the club most recently relegated from J3
* "Qualifiable base for J.League" indicates the club holds a J3 League license. Clubs who actually hold the license are denoted in bold.
* Formerly, clubs who wished to join the J.League had to also acquire a 100 Year Plan status membership. The J.League decided that since 2023, it would not be necessary for a club to hold this status in order to enable their promotion.

### Stadiums (2025)

[edit]

Main article: List of football stadiums in Japan

See also: Category:Football venues in Japan

Primary venues used in the JFL:

Asuka FC | Atletico Suzuka | Briobecca Urayasu Ichikawa | Criacao Shinjuku

|
|
|

Kashihara Park Athletic Stadium | Mie Suzuka Sports Garden | Kashiwanoha Stadium | Ajinomoto Field Nishigaoka
Capacity: 5,000 | Capacity: 19,694 | Capacity: 20,000 | Capacity: 7,258
|  |  |
Honda FC | Iwate Grulla Morioka | Maruyasu Okazaki | Minebea Mitsumi
Honda Miyakoda Soccer Stadium | Iwagin Stadium | Maruyasu Okazaki Ryuhoku Stadium | Nobeoka Nishishina Athletic Stadium
Capacity: 2,500 | Capacity: 9,892 | Capacity: 5,000 | Capacity: 15,000
|  |  |
Okinawa SV | Reilac Shiga | ReinMeer Aomori | Tiamo Hirakata
Tapic Kenso Hiyagon Stadium | Heiwado HATO Stadium | Kakuhiro Group Athletic Stadium | Hirakata City Athletics Stadium
Capacity: 12,270 | Capacity: 15,000 | Capacity: 2,500 | Capacity: 12,500
|  |  |
Veertien Mie | Verspah Oita | Yokogawa Musashino | YSCC Yokohama
Asahi Gas Energy Toin Stadium | Oita Sports Park | Musashino Municipal Athletic Stadium | Mitsuzawa Stadium
Capacity: 5,104 | Capacity: 2,040 | Capacity: 5,192 | Capacity: 15,454
|  |  |

### Former clubs

[edit]

Club name | First season
in JFL | Seasons
in JFL | Hometown(s) | Last spell
in JFL | Last
JFL title | Current league

|
|
|
|
|
|

ALO's Hokuriku | 2000  | 8  | Toyama, Toyama | 2000–2007  | –  | Defunct, merged into Kataller Toyama
Arte Takasaki | 2004  | 8  | Takasaki, Gunma | 2004–2011  | –  | Defunct
Azul Claro Numazu | 2014  | 3  | Numazu, Shizuoka | 2014–2016  | –  | J3
Kyoto BAMB 1993 | 2000  | 4  | Kyoto, Kyoto | 2000–2004  | –  | Kansai League D1
Blaublitz Akita | 2007  | 7  | All cities/towns in Akita | 2007–2013  | –  | J2
Cobaltore Onagawa | 2018  | 1  | Onagawa, Miyagi | 2018  | –  | Tohoku League D1
Ehime FC | 2001  | 5  | All cities/towns in Ehime | 2001–2005  | 2005  | J3
Fagiano Okayama | 2008  | 1  | All cities/towns in Okayama | 2008  | –  | J1
Fagiano Okayama Next | 2014  | 3  | Okayama, Okayama | 2014–2016  | –  | Defunct
Fukushima United | 2013  | 1  | Fukushima, Fukushima | 2013  | –  | J3
Gainare Tottori | 2001  | 10  | All cities/towns in Tottori | 2001–2010  | 2010  | J3
FC Gifu | 2007  | 1  | All cities/towns in Gifu | 2007  | –  | J3
Mito HollyHock | 1999  | 1  | Mito, Ibaraki | 1999  | –  | J2
FC Imabari | 2017  | 3  | Imabari, Ehime | 2017–2019  | –  | J2
Iwaki FC | 2020  | 2  | Iwaki, Fukushima | 2020–2021  | 2021  | J2
Jatco SC | 1999  | 5  | Numazu, Shizuoka | 1999–2003  | –  | Defunct
JEF Reserves | 2006  | 6  | Ichihara, Chiba | 2006–2011  | –  | Defunct
Kagoshima United | 2014  | 2  | Kagoshima, Kagoshima | 2014–2015  | –  | J3
Kagura Shimane | 2019  | 4  | Matsue, Shimane | 2019–2022  | –  | Defunct
Kamatamare Sanuki | 2011  | 3  | All cities/towns in Kagawa | 2011–2013  | –  | J3
FC Kariya | 1999  | 11  | Kariya, Aichi | 2021  | –  | Tōkai League D1
Kataller Toyama | 2008  | 1  | All cities/towns in Toyama | 2008  | –  | J2
Kochi United | 2020  | 4  | Kochi, Kochi | 2020–2024  | –  | J3
Kokushikan University | 1999  | 6  | Machida, Tokyo | 1999–2003  | –  | Kantō University League
Mitsubishi Motors Mizushima | 2005  | 5  | Kurashiki, Okayama | 2005–2009  | –  | Chugoku League
Fujieda MYFC | 2012  | 2  | Fujieda, Shizuoka | 2012–2013  | –  | J2
Nara Club | 2014  | 9  | All cities/towns in Nara | 2014–2022  | 2022  | J3
New Wave Kitakyushu | 2008  | 2  | Kitakyushu, Fukuoka | 2008–2009  | –  | J3
FC Osaka | 2014  | 9  | Higashiōsaka, Osaka | 2014–2022  | –  | J3
Otsuka Pharmaceuticals | 1999  | 6  | All cities/towns in Tokushima | 1999–2004  | 2004  | J2
Nagano Parceiro | 2011  | 3  | Nagano, Nagano | 2011–2013  | 2013  | J3
Profesor Miyazaki | 2002  | 1  | All cities/towns in Miyazaki | 2002  | –  | Defunct
Rosso Kumamoto | 2001  | 4  | Kumamoto, Kumamoto | 2006–2007  | –  | J2
Renofa Yamaguchi | 2014  | 1  | Yamaguchi, Yamaguchi | 2014  | –  | J2
FC Ryukyu | 2006  | 8  | All cities/towns in Okinawa | 2006–2013  | –  | J3
Ryutsu Keizai University | 2005  | 6  | Ryugasaki, Ibaraki | 2005–2010  | –  | Kantō League D1
Ryutsu Keizai Dragons Ryugasaki | 2015  | 5  | Ryugasaki, Ibaraki | 2015-2019  | –  | Kantō League D1
SC Sagamihara | 2013  | 1  | Sagamihara, Kanagawa | 2013  | –  | J3
Sagawa Express Osaka | 2002  | 5  | Higashisumiyoshi-ku, Osaka | 2002–2006  | –  | Defunct, merged into Sagawa Shiga
Sagawa Express Tokyo | 2001  | 6  | Kōtō, Tokyo | 2001–2006  | –  | Defunct, merged into Sagawa Shiga
Sagawa Shiga | 2007  | 6  | Moriyama, Shiga | 2007–2012  | 2011  | Defunct
Shizuoka Sangyo University | 2000  | 3  | Iwata, Shizuoka | 2000–2002  | –  | Tōkai University League
Sony Sendai FC | 1999  | 26  | Sendai, Miyagi | 1999–2024  | 2015  | Defunct
SP Kyoto FC | 2003  | 13  | Uji, Kyoto | 2003–2015  | –  | Defunct
Tegevajaro Miyazaki | 2018  | 3  | Miyazaki, Miyazaki | 2018–2020  | –  | J3
Thespa Kusatsu | 2004  | 1  | All cities/towns in Gunma | 2004  | –  | J2
Tochigi City FC | 2010  | 8  | Tochigi | 2024  | 2024  | J3
Tochigi SC | 2000  | 9  | Utsunomiya, Tochigi | 2000–2008  | –  | J3
V-Varen Nagasaki | 2009  | 4  | All cities/towns in Nagasaki | 2009–2012  | 2012  | J2
Vanraure Hachinohe | 2014  | 5  | Hachinohe, Aomori | 2014–2018  | –  | J3
Matsumoto Yamaga | 2010  | 2  | Matsumoto, Nagano | 2010–2011  | –  | J3
YKK AP | 2001  | 7  | Kurobe, Toyama | 2001–2007  | –  | Defunct, merged into Kataller Toyama
Yokohama FC | 1999  | 2  | Yokohama, Kanagawa | 1999–2000  | 2000  | J1
Machida Zelvia | 2009  | 4  | Machida, Tokyo | 2013  | –  | J1
Zweigen Kanazawa | 2010  | 4  | Kanazawa, Ishikawa | 2010–2013  | –  | J3

* Pink background denotes clubs that were most recently promoted to J3 League.

## Championship, promotion and relegation history

[edit]

### Most successful clubs

[edit]

Clubs in bold compete in JFL as of 2024 season. Clubs in italic no longer exist.

Club | Winners | Runners-up | Winning seasons | Runners-up seasons

|
|
|
|

Honda FC |

| 2001, 2002, 2006, 2008,
2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
2023  | 1999, 2000, 2003, 2004,
2021
Sagawa Shiga |

| 2007, 2009, 2011  | 2010
Otsuka Pharmaceuticals |

| 2003, 2004  | 2001
Yokohama FC |

| 1999, 2000  |
Nagano Parceiro |

| 2013  | 2011, 2012
Sony Sendai |

| 2015  | 2019
Ehime FC |

| 2005  |
Gainare Tottori |

| 2010  |
V-Varen Nagasaki |

| 2012  |
Verspah Oita |

| 2020  |
Iwaki FC |

| 2021  |
Nara Club |

| 2022  |
Tochigi City FC |

| 2024  |
Sagawa Express Tokyo | 0  | 2  |  | 2002, 2006
YKK AP |

|  | 2005
Rosso Kumamoto |

|  | 2007
Tochigi SC |

|  | 2008
Yokogawa Musashino |

|  | 2009
Kamatamare Sanuki |

|  | 2013
SP Kyoto FC |

|  | 2014
Vanraure Hachinohe |

|  | 2015
Ryutsu Keizai Dragons |

|  | 2016
ReinMeer Aomori |

|  | 2017
FC Osaka |

|  | 2018, 2022
Tegevajaro Miyazaki |

|  | 2020
Briobecca Urayasu |

|  | 2023
Kochi United SC |

|  | 2024

### Third-tier league: 1999–2013

[edit]

See also: List of winners of J3 League and predecessors

Season | Champions | Runners-up | Promoted to J2 after the season | Relegated from J2 after the season | Promoted from Regional Leagues before the season | Relegated to Regional Leagues after the season

|
|
|
|
|
|

1999 | Yokohama F.C. | Honda F.C. | Mito HollyHock | — | Yokogawa Denki | None
2000 | Yokohama F.C. | Honda F.C. | Yokohama FC | Tochigi S.C.
Shizuoka Kengyo University F.C.
Alo's Hokuriku
F.C. Kyoken | None
2001 | Honda F.C. | Otsuka Pharmaceutical F.C. | None | Sagawa Express Tokyo S.C.
YKK AP F.C.
S.C. Tottori
Ehime F.C.
NTT West Japan-Kumamoto | None
2002 | Honda F.C. | Sagawa Express Tokyo S.C. | None | Sagawa Express Osaka S.C.
Profesor Miyazaki | Shizuoka Kengyo University F.C.
Alouette Kumamoto
Profesor Miyazaki
2003 | Otsuka Pharmaceutical F.C. | Honda F.C. | None | Sagawa Printing S.C. | Jatco F.C. (disbanded)
F.C. Kyoto BAMB 1993 (F.C. Kyoken)
2004 | Otsuka Pharmaceutical F.C. | Honda F.C. | Otsuka (Tokushima Vortis)
Kusatsu | Thespa Kusatsu
Gunma Horikoshi | Kokushikan University F.C. (forced to withdraw due to scandal)
2005 | Ehime F.C. | YKK AP F.C. | Ehime | Ryutsu Keizai University F.C.
Mitsubishi Mizushima FC
Honda Lock S.C. | None
2006 | Honda F.C. | Sagawa Express Tokyo S.C. | None | JEF United Ichihara Chiba B
Rosso Kumamoto
F.C. Ryukyu | Honda Lock SC
(Sagawa Express Tokyo and Osaka clubs merge to form a single club)
2007 | Sagawa Express S.C. | Rosso Kumamoto | Kumamoto
Gifu | TDK S.C.
F.C. Gifu | (Alo's Hokuriku and YKK AP merge to form Kataller Toyama)
2008 | Honda FC | Tochigi SC | Tochigi SC
Fagiano Okayama
Kataller Toyama | Fagiano Okayama
New Wave Kitakyushu
MIO Biwako Shiga | None
2009 | Sagawa Shiga | Tokyo Musashino City | New Wave Kitakyushu | Machida Zelvia
V-Varen Nagasaki
Honda Lock | Mitsubishi Motors Mizushima (voluntary withdrawal)
FC Kariya
2010 | Gainare Tottori | Sagawa Shiga | Tottori | Matsumoto Yamaga
Hitachi Tochigi Uva
Zweigen Kanazawa | Ryutsu Keizai University
2011 | Sagawa Shiga | Nagano Parceiro | Machida
Matsumoto | Kamatamare Sanuki
Nagano Parceiro | JEF Reserves (disbanded)
Arte Takasaki (disbanded)
2012 | V-Varen Nagasaki | Nagano Parceiro | Nagasaki | Machida Zelvia | YSCC Yokohama
Fujieda MYFC
Hoyo AC Elan Oita | Sagawa Shiga (disbanded)
2013 | Nagano Parceiro | Kamatamare Sanuki | Sanuki | — | SC Sagamihara
Fukushima United | None
*The following teams were admitted to the new J3 League: Nagano Parceiro, SC Sagamihara, Machida Zelvia, Zweigen Kanazawa, Blaublitz Akita, FC Ryukyu, YSCC Yokohama, Fujieda MYFC and Fukushima United.

### Fourth-tier league: 2014–

[edit]

From 2014 to 2018 the Japan Football League switched to the Apertura and Clausura format to determine the champions. In 2019 the single-table format returned.

Season | Champions | Runners-up | Promoted to J3 after the season | Relegated from J3 after the season | Promoted from Regional Leagues before the season | Relegated to Regional Leagues after the season

|
|
|
|
|
|

2014 | Honda FC (A) | SP Kyoto FC (C) | Renofa Yamaguchi | — | Fagiano Okayama Next
Kagoshima United
Vanraure Hachinohe
Azul Claro Numazu
Maruyasu Industries SC
Renofa Yamaguchi | None
2015 | Sony Sendai (C) | Vanraure Hachinohe (A) | Kagoshima United | Nara Club
FC Osaka
Ryutsu Keizai Dragons | SP Kyoto FC (disbanded)
2016 | Honda FC (C) | Ryutsu Keizai Dragons (A) | Azul Claro Numazu | ReinMeer Aomori
Briobecca Urayasu | Fagiano Okayama Next (disbanded)
2017 | Honda FC (1) | ReinMeer Aomori (2) | None | FC Imabari
Veertien Mie | Briobecca Urayasu
Tochigi Uva
2018 | Honda FC (1) | FC Osaka (2) | Vanraure Hachinohe | Cobaltore Onagawa
Tegevajaro Miyazaki | Cobaltore Onagawa
2019 | Honda FC | Sony Sendai | FC Imabari | Matsue City FC
Suzuka Unlimited | Ryutsu Keizai Dragons
2020† | Verspah Oita | Tegevajaro Miyazaki | Miyazaki | Iwaki FC
Kochi United SC | None
2021 | Iwaki FC | Honda FC | Iwaki | Tiamo Hirakata
FC Kariya | FC Kariya
2022 | Nara Club | FC Osaka | Nara
FC Osaka | Criacao Shinjuku | Kagura Shimane (disbanded)
2023 | Honda FC | Briobecca Urayasu | None | Briobecca Urayasu
Okinawa SV | None
2024 | Tochigi City FC | Kochi United SC | Tochigi City
Kochi | YSCC Yokohama
Iwate Grulla Morioka | Tochigi City FC | Sony Sendai FC (disbanded)
2025 |  |  |  |  | Asuka FC |

A = Apertura champion, C = Clausura champion, 1 = Won both stages, 2 = Earned the second most points total in the overall table if 1 applies.
† Only second half of season was played due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan.

## JFL records and statistics

[edit]

As of December 2023.

In bold the ones who are actually playing in JFL. In italic the ones who are still active in other league.

Caps  | No. | Player | Caps | Career

|
|
|

1 | Daiki Koyama | 389 | 2000–2002, 2004–2017
2 | Hajime "Gen" Nakamura | 374 | 2003–2017
3 | Takanori Kanamori | 349 | 2008–2022
4 | Hirotaka Nagatomi | 348 | 2006–2021
5 | Kazuhisa Hamaoka | 338 | 2001–2005, 2007, 2010–2013, 2014–2016
6 | Takuya Tomiyama | 333 | 1999–2012
7 | Masayuki Ishii | 314 | 1999–2010
8 | Takahito Seta | 313 | 2008–2018
9 | Keisuke Iwata | 312 | 2009–2020
10 | Junya Nitta | 307 | 1999–2011

Goals  | # | Player | Goals | Career

|
|
|

1 | Junya Nitta | 146 | 1999–2011
2 | Tatsuya Furuhashi | 127 | 1999–2004, 2014–2020
3 | Kodai Suzuki | 111 | 2000–2010
4 | Sho Gokyu | 104 | 2006–2007, 2009–2013, 2015
5 | Mitsuru Hasegawa | 103 | 2001–2008
6 | Masatoshi Matsuda | 100 | 2014–2015
7 | Hajime "Gen" Nakamura | 94 | 2003–2017
8 | Takehiro Hayashi | 91 | 1999–2004
9 | Shoma Mizunaga | 83 | 2005–2006, 2009–2012, 2018–2020
10 | Tomohiro Ito | 71 | 1999–2008

## See also

[edit]

Portals:

* Association football
* Women's association football
* Sports
* Games
* Japan

* Sport in Japan
* Football in Japan
* Women's football in Japan
* Japan Football Association (JFA)

Soccer/Football
League system

* Japanese association football league system
* J.League
* J1 League (Tier 1)
* J2 League (Tier 2)
* J3 League (Tier 3)
* Regional Champions League (Promotion playoffs to JFL)
* Regional Leagues (Tier 5/6)

Domestic cup

* Fujifilm Super Cup (Super Cup)
* Emperor's Cup (National Cup)
* J.League YBC Levain Cup (League Cup)

Futsal

* F.League
* F1 League (Tier 1)
* F2 League (Tier 2)
* JFA Futsal Championship (National Cup)
* F.League Ocean Cup (League Cup)

Beach soccer

* Beach Soccer Championship (National Cup)

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "リーグ構成". Japan Football League. Retrieved 4 February 2021.
2. ^ "2026-27シーズンからのシーズン移行について" (Press release). J.League. 19 December 2023.
3. ^ "2026年からのシーズン移行について" (Press release). Japan Football League. 21 December 2024.
4. ^ "2021年度 第8回Ｊリーグ理事会後チェアマン定例会見発言録" (in Japanese). J.League. 1 September 2021. Retrieved 20 October 2021.
5. ^ "２３年にも入れ替え実施 Ｊ３とＪＦＬ". Jiji.com (in Japanese). 25 November 2021. Archived from the original on 25 November 2021. Retrieved 8 December 2021.
6. ^ "Promotion and Relegation between J3 and JFL from 2023 Season". J.League (Press release) (in Japanese). 6 January 2023. Retrieved 6 January 2023.

## External links

[edit]

* Official website (in Japanese)
* JFL Official Channel (in Japanese)
* 2010 JFL season[usurped] (in English and French)

Sporting positions

Preceded by

Japan Football League Division 2

|  Third tier of Japanese football
1999–2013  | Succeeded by

J3 League

* v
* t
* e

Japan Football League (JFL)

Japan Football Association (JFA)

Current teams
(2025)|

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

Seasons|

* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024
* 2025
* 2026–27
* 2027–28
* 2028–29
* 2029–30

* v
* t
* e

Football in Japan

* Records
* Trophies and awards
* Venues
* History

National association|

* Japan Football Association (JFA)

National teams
(2025)|

| Men|

* Japan
* results
* footballers
* managers
* B
* U-23
* results
* footballers
* managers
* U-20
* U-17
* Futsal
* U-23
* U-20
* Beach soccer
* FIFAe

|

Women|

* Japan
* results
* footballers
* managers
* B
* U-23
* results
* footballers
* managers
* U-20
* U-17
* Futsal
* U-23
* U-20
* Beach soccer

Leagues
(2025)|

| Men|

* J.League
* J1 League
* J2 League
* J3 League
* Japan Football League (JFL)
* Regional Leagues
* Prince Takamado Cup
* U-18 Premier League
* U-18 Prince Leagues

|

Women|

* WE League
* Nadeshiko League
* Division 1
* Division 2

Cups
(2025)|

| Men|

* Emperor's Cup
* YBC Levain Cup
* Fujifilm Super Cup
* Shakaijin Cup
* Club Teams Cup
* Intercollegiate Cup
* All Japan High School Cup
* Inter-High
* Club Youth Cup

|

Women|

* Empress's Cup
* WE League Cup
* Intercollegiate

International cups|

| Men|

* Kirin Cup Soccer (Senior)
* Kirin Challenge Cup (Senior / U-23)
* SBS Cup (U-18)
* Ibaraki Next Generation Cup (U-18)
* International Youth Soccer in Niigata (U-17)
* U-16 International Dream Cup

|

Women|

* MS&AD Cup (Senior)
* JENESYS U-17 Women’s Football Memorial Cup

Culture|

| Historical matches|

* Japan v Iraq (1994 FIFA World Cup qualification)

|

Anime and Manga|

* Aoashi
* Blue Lock
* Captain Tsubasa
* Days
* Giant Killing
* Inazuma Eleven

Rivalries|

* National teams
* Japan–South Korea
* Australia–Japan
* China–Japan
* North Korea–Japan

* Football in Japan by prefecture
* Tokyo
* Osaka
* by populated place
* Competitions

* 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

Sports leagues in Japan

Baseball|

* Nippon Professional Baseball
* Central League
* Pacific League

Basketball|

* B.League
* B1 League
* B2 League
* B3 League

Dancing|

* D.League

Football|

* J.League
* J1 League
* J2 League
* J3 League
* Japan Football League
* Japanese Regional Leagues
* Japanese Prefectural Leagues [ja]

Gridiron football|

* X-League

Handball|

* Japan Handball League

Road bicycle racing|

* Japan Cycle League [ja]

Roller derby|

* Tokyo Roller Girls
* Okinawa Roller Derby

Rugby|

* Japan Rugby League One

Table tennis|

* T.League

Volleyball|

* SV.League
* V.League
* Men's West Conference
* Men's East Conference
* Women's

Professional sports|

* Asia League Ice Hockey
* J.League
* Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB)
* X-League

Women's sports|

* Football
* WE League
* Nadeshiko League
* Ice Hockey
* Women's Japan Ice Hockey League
* Softball
* Japan Diamond Softball League

Defunct|

* Baseball
* Football

* v
* t
* e

Fourth level football leagues of Asia (AFC)

* Afghanistan
* Australia
* Capital Football
* NSW
* NNSW
* Queensland
* South Australia
* Tasmania
* North Tasmania
* South Tasmania
* Victoria
* West Australia
* Bahrain
* Bangladesh
* Bhutan
* Brunei
* Cambodia
* China
* Chinese Taipei
* East Timor
* Guam
* Hong Kong
* India
* Indonesia
* Iran
* Iraq
* Japan
* Jordan
* North Korea
* South Korea
* Kuwait
* Kyrgyzstan
* Laos
* Lebanon
* Macau
* Malaysia
* Maldives
* Mongolia
* Myanmar
* Nepal
* Northern Mariana Islands†
* Oman
* Pakistan
* Palestine
* Philippines
* Qatar
* Saudi Arabia
* Sri Lanka
* Syria
* Tajikistan
* Thailand
* Turkmenistan
* United Arab Emirates
* Uzbekistan
* Vietnam
* Yemen

†Associated members

* v
* t
* e

2024 Japan Football League venues

* Kashiwanoha Stadium
* Ajinomoto Field Nishigaoka
* Honda Miyakoda Soccer Stadium
* Kochi Haruno Athletic Stadium
* Maruyasu Okazaki Ryuhoku Stadium
* Nobeoka Nishishina Athletic Stadium
* Tapic Kenso Hiyagon Stadium
* General Sports Park Nunobiki Athletics Stadium
* Kakuhiro Group Athletic Stadium
* Yurtec Stadium Sendai
* Mie Suzuka Sports Garden
* Hirakata City Athletics Stadium
* Musashino Municipal Athletic Stadium
* Asahi Gas Energy Toin Stadium
* Oita Sports Park
* City Football Station

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