J3 League

J3 League
Organising body	J.League
Founded	2013; 8 years ago
Country	Japan
Confederation	AFC
Number of teams	15 (2021 season)
Level on pyramid	3
Promotion to	J2 League
Domestic cup(s)	Emperor's Cup
Current champions	Blaublitz Akita (2nd title) ; (2020 season)
Most championships	Blaublitz Akita (2 titles)
TV partners	DAZN; YouTube (outside Japan)
Website	www.jleague.jp/en/
	Current: 2021 J3 League

Former logo

This logo was used from 2015 to 2018

J3 League (Japanese: J3リーグ, Hepburn: J3 Rīgu) or simply J3 is the third division of Japan Professional Football League (日本プロサッカーリーグ, Nihon Puro Sakkā Rīgu) that has established a third-tier professional association football league in Japan starting in 2013.

The third-tier nationwide league is a relatively recent development in Japanese football with the first attempt dated 1992 (second division of the old JFL), though it only lasted for two seasons. In 1999, following the establishment of J2 League, a new Japan Football League was created, becoming the third tier onwards. After introduction of J3 the JFL has been moved down the pyramid and become a fourth-tier nationwide league, for the first time in history of Japanese football.

The league is known by their title sponsor, the Meiji Yasuda J3 League (Japanese: 明治安田生命J3リーグ).^[2]

History of Japanese third-tier football[]

Amateur era (until 2013)[]

A national third tier of Japanese association football was first established along with its professionalization in 1992, when the newly created Japan Football League kicked off with two tiers below the professional J. League. Among the 10 original clubs of the third tier included the forerunners to Kyoto Sanga FC, Ventforet Kofu, Omiya Ardija, Avispa Fukuoka and Vissel Kobe (the latter two being located in different regions from their J. League successors). But after a number of clubs were lost for various reasons – some were promoted to J.League and the others folded – the league contracted the second division in 1994 and continued with the single second-tier division.

The third tier football was reintroduced in 1999 upon creation of fully professional J2. The old JFL was dissolved but a new Japan Football League was formed the same year in order to establish a nationwide top-tier amateur league. But despite its officially amateur status the league quickly became de facto semi-professional, serving as the cradle of the future J. League members. Since the establishment of associate membership system in 2006 the number of professional clubs holding or actively seeking for this status has grown steadily and reached its peak in 2013 season when 6 full members and 2 former candidates made up to almost half of the league's 18 teams. Through the course of the season this number grew even bigger, to 10 full associate members that formed the core of J3.

Professionalization and establishment (2013)[]

Close to the end of 2012 football season Japanese media began to spread rumors^[3]^[4] about the upcoming professional third-tier league, referred to as either "J3" or "J.Challenge League". Most of the sources agreed that the new league will feature around 10–12 clubs, most of which will be associate members. The league would also provide more relaxed licensing criteria in comparison to J2 – e.g. the stadium seating capacity of just 3,000 with no mandatory floodlighting.^[5]

After the discussion on J1-J2 Joint Committee on 16 January 2013, all J.League clubs agreed in principle with an establishment of the new league starting 2014.^[6] This decision was formally put into force by J.League Council in a 26 February executive meeting.^[7] The league was planned to launch with 10 teams, but another session of J.League Council in July decided that inaugural season of J3 will feature 12 teams.^[8]

To participate, a club must have held an associate membership, or have submitted an application before 30 June 2013, and then passed an inspection to obtain a participation licence issued by J.League Council.^[9] On 19 November, J.League confirmed the following clubs to participate in the inaugural J3 season:^[10]

Gainare Tottori (relegated from 2013 J.League Division 2)
Blaublitz Akita (JFL)
Machida Zelvia (JFL)
SC Sagamihara (JFL)
Nagano Parceiro (JFL)
Zweigen Kanazawa (JFL)
YSCC Yokohama (JFL)
FC Ryukyu (JFL)
Fukushima United (JFL)
Fujieda MYFC (JFL)
Grulla Morioka (Tōhoku League, 2013 Tōhoku League Champion and Regional Promotion Series Champion)
J.League U-22 team, composed of the best J1 and J2 youngsters to prepare them for the 2016 Olympics^[11]

Future plans[]

The league has not provided a clear expansion timeline yet but it was most likely that J3 continued to accommodate new teams after its inaugural season. The following is a list of clubs that may get promoted to J.League in the near future:^[12]

Nara Club (JFL) – J.League 100 Year Plan club status and J3 license holders
ReinMeer Aomori (JFL) – J.League 100 Year Plan club status and J3 license holders
Iwaki FC (JFL) – J.League 100 Year Plan club status and J3 license holders
F.C. Osaka (JFL) – J.League 100 Year Plan club status and J3 license holders
Veertien Mie (JFL) – J.League 100 Year Plan club status
Verspah Oita (JFL) – J.League 100 Year Plan club status
Suzuka Point Getters (JFL) – J.League 100 Year Plan club status
Tochigi City (KSL Division 1) – J.League 100 Year Plan club status
Vonds Ichihara (KSL Division 1) – J.League 100 Year Plan club status
(KSL Division 1) – J.League 100 Year Plan club status
(TOKYO SHAKAIJIN SOCCER LEAGUE) – J.League 100 Year Plan club status

Other teams have applied for J.League associate membership but were denied. Most of these clubs continue to aim for J3 as their ultimate goal.

MIO Biwako Shiga (JFL)

One team withdrew its J3 license and J.League 100 Year Plan status, formerly associate membership:

Tokyo Musashino City FC (JFL)
Tonan Maebashi (KSL Division 1)

Some sources claim that J3 was intended to reach up to 60 clubs in the future, being split into three regionalized divisions running in parallel.^[13]

Timetable[]

Year	Important Events	# J3 Clubs	Prom. Slots
2014	The J.League adopts three divisions, as the following clubs join Division 3: Gainare Tottori (relegated from J2 League). Blaublitz Akita, Fukushima United, Fujieda MYFC, Nagano Parceiro, FC Ryukyu, SC Sagamihara, YSCC Yokohama, FC Machida Zelvia, and Zweigen Kanazawa (pre-existing from Japan Football League). Grulla Morioka (promoted directly from Japanese Regional Leagues' Tohoku Soccer League). A J.League U-22 Selection is also included, composed of the best J1 and J2 youngsters to prepare them for the 2016 Olympics. The Japan Football League becomes the nationwide fourth tier, and first tier for amateur clubs. Zweigen Kanazawa becomes the first J3 champions and get promoted to J2. Nagano Parceiro lost the Promotion/Relegation Series against the J2 21st placed team.	11+1	1.5
2015	Kataller Toyama is relegated from J2. Renofa Yamaguchi is promoted from Japan Football League and in its first J3 season becomes champions and got promoted to J2. FC Machida Zelvia is also promoted as it finished in 2nd place and won the Promotion/Relegation Series against newly relegated Oita Trinita, the first former J1 team to play in J3.	12+1	1.5
2016	Tochigi SC and Oita Trinita are relegated from J2. Kagoshima United FC is promoted from Japan Football League. J. League U-22 Selection disbanded. Cerezo Osaka, Gamba Osaka and FC Tokyo introduced U-23 reserve teams to reach 16 teams and change the league to a two-round system.	13+3	1.5
2017	Giravanz Kitakyushu is relegated from J2. Azul Claro Numazu is promoted from Japan Football League. Promotion/Relegation series abolished; runner-up promoted automatically.	14+3	2
2018	Roasso Kumamoto and Kamatamare Sanuki are relegated from J2. Vanraure Hachinohe is promoted from Japan Football League.	15+3	2
2019	Kagoshima United and FC Gifu are relegated from J2. FC Imabari is promoted from Japan Football League.	16+3	2
2020	FC Tokyo U-23 withdraws from J3. Cerezo and Gamba Osaka dissolve their U-23s after the season. Tegevajaro Miyazaki is promoted from Japan Football League.	16+2	2
2021	Four teams will be relegated from J2.	15	2
2022		17	2

2021 season[]

League format[]

For this season, the league is played in two rounds (home-and-away), each team playing a total of 28 matches.^[14]

Each team must have at least 3 players holding professional contracts. Also, from the 2016 season, 5 foreign players are allowed per team, plus 1 more from J.League's ASEAN partner country of or from other AFC countries. The matchday roster will consist of 18 players, and up to 3 substitutes will be allowed in a game.^[15]

Promotion and relegation[]

Rules for promotion to J2 are largely similar to those of Japan Football League in recent seasons: to be promoted, a club must hold or be granted a J2 license and finish in top 2 of the league. Since 2017, the champions and the runners-up have been promoted directly and replace the 21st- and 22nd-placed J2 clubs. If only the champion or runner-up holds or is given a J2 license, only the bottom club of J2 is relegated; if both top 2 finishers are ineligible for promotion, then no teams will be promoted to or relegated from J2.^[14]

No relegation to JFL is planned in the foreseeable future.

Participating clubs (2021)[]

Club Name	Year Joined	Seasons in J3	Based in	First Season in D3	Seasons in D3	Current Spell in D3	Last Spell in J2
Azul Claro Numazu	2017	4	Numazu, Shizuoka	2017	4	2017–	–
Fukushima United	2014	7	All cities/towns in Fukushima	2013	8	2013–	–
Gainare Tottori	2011 (J2)	7	All cities/towns in Tottori	2001	17	2014–	2011–2013
FC Gifu	2008 (J2)	1	All cities/towns in Gifu	2007	1	2020–	2008–2019
FC Imabari	2020	1	Imabari, Ehime	2020	1	2020–	–
Iwate Grulla Morioka	2014	7	Morioka, Iwate	2014	7	2014–	–
Kagoshima United	2016	4	Kagoshima, Kagoshima	2016	4	2020–	2019
Kamatamare Sanuki	2014 (J2)	2	Takamatsu, Kagawa	2011	5	2019–	2014–2018
Kataller Toyama	2009 (J2)	6	All cities/towns in Toyama	2008	7	2015–	2009–2014
Fujieda MYFC	2014	7	Central cities/towns in Shizuoka	2012	9	2012–	–
Nagano Parceiro	2014	7	Northern cities/towns/villages in Nagano	2011	10	2011–	–
Roasso Kumamoto	2008 (J2)	2	Kumamoto, Kumamoto	2006	4	2019–	2008–2018
Tegevajaro Miyazaki	2021	0	Miyazaki, Miyazaki	2021	0	2021–	–
Vanraure Hachinohe	2019	2	Hachinohe, Aomori	2019	7	2019–	–
YSCC Yokohama	2014	7	Yokohama, Kanagawa	2012	9	2012–	–

Pink background indicates clubs most recently promoted from JFL
Gray background indicates the club most recently relegated from J2
"Year joined" is the year the club joined the J. League (J3 League unless otherwise indicated).
"First season in D3," "Seasons in D3," and "Current spell in D3" include seasons in JFL

Stadiums (2021)[]

Primary venues used in the J3 League:

Vanraure Hachinohe	Iwate Grulla Morioka	Fukushima United FC	YSCC Yokohama	Nagano Parceiro	Kataller Toyama
Prifoods Stadium	Iwagin Stadium	Toho Stadium	Nippatsu Mitsuzawa Stadium	Nagano U Stadium	Toyama Stadium
Capacity: 5,124	Capacity: 5,046	Capacity: 6,464	Capacity: 15,440	Capacity: 15,515	Capacity: 18,588


Fujieda MYFC	Azul Claro Numazu	FC Gifu	Gainare Tottori	Kamatamare Sanuki	FC Imabari
Fujieda Soccer Stadium	Ashitaka Park Stadium	Gifu Nagaragawa Stadium	Axis Bird Stadium	Pikara Stadium	Arigato Service Dream Stadium
Capacity: 5,056	Capacity: 5,104	Capacity: 16,310	Capacity: 11,999	Capacity: 22,338	Capacity: 5,063


Roasso Kumamoto	Tegevajaro Miyazaki	Kagoshima United FC
Egao Kenko Stadium	Unilever Stadium Shintomi	Shiranami Stadium
Capacity: 30,449	Capacity: 5,354	Capacity: 12,606

Former clubs[]

Club Name	Year Joined	Seasons in J3	Based in	First Season in D3	Seasons in D3	Last Spell in D3	Current League
Blaublitz Akita	2014	7	All cities/towns in Akita	2007	14	2007–2020	J2
Cerezo Osaka U-23	2016	5	Osaka & Sakai, Osaka	2016	5	2016–2020	defunct
FC Tokyo U-23	2016	4	Chōfu, Tokyo	2016	4	2016–2019	defunct
Gamba Osaka U-23	2016	5	Northern cities in Osaka	2016	5	2016–2020	defunct
Giravanz Kitakyushu	2010 (J2)	3	Kitakyushu, Fukuoka	2008	5	2017–2019	J2
J.League U-22 Selection	2014	2	Played away games only	2014	2	2015	defunct
Renofa Yamaguchi	2015	1	Yamaguchi, Yamaguchi	2015	1	2015	J2
FC Ryukyu	2014	5	All cities/towns in Okinawa	2006	13	2006–2018	J2
SC Sagamihara	2014	7	Sagamihara, Kanagawa	2013	8	2013–2020	J2
Thespakusatsu Gunma	2005 (J2)	2	All cities/towns in Gunma	2004	3	2018–2019	J2
Tochigi SC	2009 (J2)	2	Utsunomiya, Tochigi	2000	11	2016–2017	J2
Oita Trinita	1999 (J2)	1	All cities/towns in Ōita	2016	1	2016	J1
Machida Zelvia	2012 (J2)	2	Machida, Tokyo	2009	6	2015	J2
Zweigen Kanazawa	2014	1	Kanazawa, Ishikawa	2010	5	2014	J2

Pink background indicates clubs most recently promoted to J2
"Year joined" is the year the club joined the J. League (J3 League unless otherwise indicated).
"First season in D3," "Seasons in D3," and "Current spell in D3" include seasons in JFL

Championship/Promotion History[]

Season	Winner	Runner-up	Third place
2014	Zweigen Kanazawa	Nagano Parceiro^†	Machida Zelvia
2015	Renofa Yamaguchi	Machida Zelvia^‡	Nagano Parceiro
2016	Oita Trinita	Tochigi SC	Nagano Parceiro
2017	Blaublitz Akita	Tochigi SC	Azul Claro Numazu
2018	FC Ryukyu	Kagoshima United	Gainare Tottori
2019	Giravanz Kitakyushu	Thespakusatsu Gunma	Fujieda MYFC
2020	Blaublitz Akita	SC Sagamihara	Nagano Parceiro

* Bold designates the promoted club;
† Lost the J2–J3 playoffs;
‡ Won the J2–J3 playoffs and got promoted;

Most successful clubs[]

Clubs in bold compete in J3 as of 2021 season.

Club	Winners	Runners-up	Promotions	Winning seasons	Runners-up seasons	Promotion seasons
Blaublitz Akita	2	0	1	2017, 2020		2020
Zweigen Kanazawa	1	0	1	2014		2014
Renofa Yamaguchi	1	0	1	2015		2015
Oita Trinita	1	0	1	2016		2016
FC Ryukyu	1	0	1	2018		2018
Giravanz Kitakyushu	1	0	1	2019		2019
Tochigi SC	0	2	1		2016, 2017	2017
SC Sagamihara	0	1	1		2020	2020
Thespakusatsu Gunma	0	1	1		2019	2019
Kagoshima United	0	1	1		2018	2018
Machida Zelvia	0	1	1		2015	2015
Nagano Parceiro	0	1	0		2014

Players and managers[]

Managers[]

List of J.League managers

Top scorers[]

Year	Player	Nationality	Squad	Goals
2014	Koji Suzuki (footballer)	Japan	Machida Zelvia	19
2015	Kazuhito Kishida		Renofa Yamaguchi FC	32
2016	Noriaki Fujimoto		Kagoshima United FC	15
2017	Noriaki Fujimoto		Kagoshima United FC	24
2018	Leonardo	Brazil	Gainare Tottori	24
2019	Taichi Hara	Japan	FC Tokyo U-23	19
2020	Kaito Taniguchi	Japan	Roasso Kumamoto	18

References[]

^ "サッカー用語集 (Football glossary)". JFA (in Japanese). Japan Football Association. 25 January 2017. Retrieved 24 February 2019. 「日本プロサッカーリーグ」の読みは、「にほんプロサッカーリーグ」。
^ The logo used in Japan is labeled 「明治安田生命 J3 LEAGUE」.
^ Ｊリーグに「３部」設置構想＝準加盟クラブで２０１４年にも [J.League third division to be installed in 2014] (in Japanese). JIJI Press Ltd. 4 November 2013. Archived from the original on 11 April 2013. Retrieved 27 February 2013.
^ ３部相当、１４年開始へ＝名称候補に「Ｊ３」「Ｊチャレンジ」－Ｊリーグ [Third division to start in 2014, J.League sets candidate clubs] (in Japanese). JIJI Press Ltd. 27 December 2013. Archived from the original on 11 April 2013. Retrieved 27 February 2013.
^ "Jリーグに「3部」設置構想＝準加盟クラブで2014年にも" [New third division starts in 2014] (in Japanese). Yomiuri Shimbun. 1 January 2013. Retrieved 27 February 2013.
^ Ｊ３設立へ中西理事「理解は得た」 [Director Nakahishi on the agreement for J3 establishment] (in Japanese). Nikkan Sports News. 17 January 2013. Retrieved 27 February 2013.
^ 来年からＪ３新設を正式決定　Ｊリーグ理事会 [Consul formally decided to launch new J3 league next year] (in Japanese). Sports Nippon Newspapers. 27 February 2013. Retrieved 27 February 2013.
^ Ｊ3参加クラブ数は「12」で決定 [J3 is determined to start with 12 teams] (in Japanese). J.League. 16 July 2013. Archived from the original on 18 July 2013. Retrieved 16 July 2013.
^ Ｊ３までの道のり [Steps to J3 participation] (in Japanese). J. League. 16 July 2013. Archived from the original on 20 July 2013. Retrieved 16 July 2013.
^ Ｊリーグ入会審査（Ｊ２およびＪ３）結果について [Results of J2 and J3 examination] (in Japanese). J. League. 19 November 2013. Archived from the original on 22 November 2013. Retrieved 19 November 2013.
^ 申請クラブ審査状況に更新がありました [Update to club review situation] (in Japanese). J. League. 19 November 2013. Archived from the original on 22 November 2013. Retrieved 19 November 2013.
^ 準加盟クラブ・準加盟申請クラブに対する、今後の審査の流れ [Inspection flow for J. League participation] (in Japanese). J. League. 2 December 2013. Retrieved 4 December 2013.
^ Ｊリーグ、将来的に１００チームへ [J.League to reach 100 teams in the future] (in Japanese). Soccer Now. 24 February 2013. Retrieved 27 February 2013.
^ Jump up to: ^a ^b Playing system and rules of 2017 J3 League (in Japanese), J. League, 13 December 2016
^ Tournament schemes for 2016 J3 League (in Japanese), J. League, 15 December 2015

External links[]

Official website, JLeague.jp (in English)
Official YouTube channel (in Japanese)

[1] "サッカー用語集 (Football glossary)". JFA (in Japanese). Japan Football Association. 25 January 2017. Retrieved 24 February 2019. 「日本プロサッカーリーグ」の読みは、「にほんプロサッカーリーグ」。

[2] The logo used in Japan is labeled 「明治安田生命 J3 LEAGUE」.

[3] Ｊリーグに「３部」設置構想＝準加盟クラブで２０１４年にも [J.League third division to be installed in 2014] (in Japanese). JIJI Press Ltd. 4 November 2013. Archived from the original on 11 April 2013. Retrieved 27 February 2013.

[4] ３部相当、１４年開始へ＝名称候補に「Ｊ３」「Ｊチャレンジ」－Ｊリーグ [Third division to start in 2014, J.League sets candidate clubs] (in Japanese). JIJI Press Ltd. 27 December 2013. Archived from the original on 11 April 2013. Retrieved 27 February 2013.

[5] "Jリーグに「3部」設置構想＝準加盟クラブで2014年にも" [New third division starts in 2014] (in Japanese). Yomiuri Shimbun. 1 January 2013. Retrieved 27 February 2013.

[6] Ｊ３設立へ中西理事「理解は得た」 [Director Nakahishi on the agreement for J3 establishment] (in Japanese). Nikkan Sports News. 17 January 2013. Retrieved 27 February 2013.

[council-7] 来年からＪ３新設を正式決定　Ｊリーグ理事会 [Consul formally decided to launch new J3 league next year] (in Japanese). Sports Nippon Newspapers. 27 February 2013. Retrieved 27 February 2013.

[july_council-8] Ｊ3参加クラブ数は「12」で決定 [J3 is determined to start with 12 teams] (in Japanese). J.League. 16 July 2013. Archived from the original on 18 July 2013. Retrieved 16 July 2013.

[j3_steps-9] Ｊ３までの道のり [Steps to J3 participation] (in Japanese). J. League. 16 July 2013. Archived from the original on 20 July 2013. Retrieved 16 July 2013.

[10] Ｊリーグ入会審査（Ｊ２およびＪ３）結果について [Results of J2 and J3 examination] (in Japanese). J. League. 19 November 2013. Archived from the original on 22 November 2013. Retrieved 19 November 2013.

[admission_upd-11] 申請クラブ審査状況に更新がありました [Update to club review situation] (in Japanese). J. League. 19 November 2013. Archived from the original on 22 November 2013. Retrieved 19 November 2013.

[j3_status-12] 準加盟クラブ・準加盟申請クラブに対する、今後の審査の流れ [Inspection flow for J. League participation] (in Japanese). J. League. 2 December 2013. Retrieved 4 December 2013.

[13] Ｊリーグ、将来的に１００チームへ [J.League to reach 100 teams in the future] (in Japanese). Soccer Now. 24 February 2013. Retrieved 27 February 2013.

[j3_rules-14] Jump up to: ^a ^b Playing system and rules of 2017 J3 League (in Japanese), J. League, 13 December 2016

[2016_rules-15] Tournament schemes for 2016 J3 League (in Japanese), J. League, 15 December 2015

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

[15]

show v t J.League
J1 League (2021)	Avispa Fukuoka Cerezo Osaka Consadole Sapporo Gamba Osaka Kashima Antlers Kashiwa Reysol Kawasaki Frontale Nagoya Grampus Oita Trinita Sagan Tosu Sanfrecce Hiroshima Shimizu S-Pulse Shonan Bellmare Tokushima Vortis FC Tokyo Urawa Red Diamonds Vegalta Sendai Vissel Kobe Yokohama F. Marinos Yokohama FC
J2 League (2021)	Albirex Niigata Blaublitz Akita Ehime FC Fagiano Okayama Giravanz Kitakyushu JEF United Chiba Júbilo Iwata Kyoto Sanga FC FC Machida Zelvia Matsumoto Yamaga FC Mito HollyHock Montedio Yamagata Omiya Ardija Renofa Yamaguchi FC FC Ryukyu SC Sagamihara Thespakusatsu Gunma Tochigi SC Tokyo Verdy V-Varen Nagasaki Ventforet Kofu Zweigen Kanazawa
J3 League (2021)	AC Nagano Parceiro Azul Claro Numazu FC Gifu FC Imabari Fujieda MYFC Fukushima United FC Gainare Tottori Iwate Grulla Morioka Kagoshima United FC Kamatamare Sanuki Kataller Toyama Roasso Kumamoto Tegevajaro Miyazaki Vanraure Hachinohe YSCC Yokohama
Former clubs	Yokohama Flügels J.League U-22 Selection FC Tokyo U-23 Gamba Osaka U-23 Cerezo Osaka U-23
Players	Foreign J1 League players Foreign J2 League players Designated special players
Statistics	Champions (J1·J2·J3) Records Historical goals
Awards	Most Valuable Player (MVP of the month) Manager of the Year Top Scorer Rookie of the Year Best XI