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35-606: The Nadeshiko League consists of two divisions that correspond to the second and third levels of the Japanese women's football pyramid respectively. Teams are promoted and relegated between the divisions, and between the Nadeshiko League Division 2 and the fourth-level Japanese regional leagues, based on performance in the previous season. Prior to 2021, the Nadeshiko League occupied the top level of

70-572: 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 J.League. A club that satisfied the following criteria was promoted to J.League Div. 2 (for

105-654: Is divided into Division 2 North and Division 2 South. Because of differences in structure, each region has its own promotion and relegation regulations between the divisions. Aside from the Emperor's Cup, clubs at this level and the levels immediately below play in the All Japan Senior Football Championship ( Shakaijin Cup ), qualifying through prefectural cups. Some Regional Leagues may have their own League Cups as well (Kanto, Kansai). Under

140-592: The Empress's Cup . Clubs in bold are those competing in Division 1 as of the 2023 season. Clubs in italics no longer exist. Notes The following clubs have previously competed in the Nadeshiko League for at least one season. Japanese association football league system#Women's system The Japanese association football league system is organized in a pyramidal shape similar to football league systems in many other countries around

175-417: The J. League system of that era. From 2000 to 2003 the clubs were divided into East and West groups and then the top clubs of each would go into a championship group, with the bottom clubs in a relegation group. In 2004 the single-table format was brought back. Teams from this early era would host annual training camps to build skills and relationships with international women's football clubs, such as those in

210-631: The J. League , which consists of J1 League (J1), J2 League , and J3 League . All of the clubs in the J. League are fully professional. The fourth level, the Japan Football League (JFL) is a semi-professional league consisting of amateur, professional, and company clubs from all over Japan. At the fifth and sixth levels, nine parallel regional leagues are operated by nine different regional football associations, some of which have multiple divisions. The regional associations are divided by political or geographical boundaries. At

245-578: The 2012 and 2013 seasons): 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

280-438: The 22nd-placed J2 club; and the runners-up participated in the playoffs with the 21st J2 club. Currently, the champions and runners-up receive automatic promotion. If either or both top 2 finishers are ineligible for promotion, the playoffs and/or direct exchange is not held in accordance to the exact positions of promotion-eligible clubs. Until 2022, there was no relegation system from J3 League other than withdrawal from

315-919: The 9 regions, there are 47 prefectures. Hokkaido is by itself as a prefecture, thus the leagues in Hokkaido do not have a prefectural league and are rather divided into 5 blocks (North, Central, East, Sapporo, and South); however, all other 46 prefectures have Prefectural leagues. Most if not all, of these leagues have multiple divisions. 12 clubs no relegation ( 2024–25 season ) ( Plenus Nadeshiko League Division 1 ) 12 clubs ↓ 1 relegation spot + 1 promotion/relegation series spot ( Plenus Nadeshiko League Division 2 ) 10 clubs ↑ 1 promotion spot + 1 promotion/relegation series spot ↓ 1 relegation spot + 1 promotion/relegation series spot many clubs ↑ 2 promotion/relegation series spots ↓ ?? relegation spot many clubs ↑ ?? promotion spot As of 2022–23 season , all clubs in

350-501: The J. League due to non-issuance of a license. In November 2021, J.League Chairman Murai announced that promotion from and relegation to the JFL was planned for the 2023 season. In early January 2023, the J.League published details of the J3–JFL promotion/relegation playoffs, enabling the possibility for teams to be relegated from the J3. The system of promotion and relegation between the J3 and

385-498: The J3 and JFL were considering the introduction of relegation to the latter league as early as after the 2022 season. Later in November, Murai announced that promotion from and relegation to the JFL had been planned for the end of 2023. 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. The system of promotion and relegation between

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420-468: 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. 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

455-573: 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

490-415: 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. The Japan Football League (JFL) is the fourth level in the Japanese football pyramid, and is known as the highest level for amateur club football. Prior to 2010, the JFL was governed by Japan Football Association (JFA); since 2010, the JFL became independent from

525-556: The Japan FA with its own status and governing body, and consists mainly of amateur football clubs and company teams, though some fully professional clubs (J. League associate members) also exist. Due to presence of these professional clubs, the league has de facto semi-professional status. Clubs at this level and below enter the Emperor's Cup indirectly; most clubs qualify through cup tournaments contested in individual prefectures;

560-636: The Japanese women's football pyramid as well; that level is now represented by the fully professional WE League . Since 2008, the Nadeshiko League has been sponsored by Plenus ( 株式会社プレナス ) , a fast food ( bento ) company based in Fukuoka . The Japan Women's Football League , or the L. League , was founded in 1989. The founding six clubs were Yomiuri SC Ladies Beleza , Shinko Seiko FC Clair , Nissan FC Ladies , Shimizu FC Ladies , Prima Ham FC Kunoichi , and Tasaki-Shinju Kobe Ladies . From 1993 to 1999 it adopted an Apertura and Clausura system, similar to

595-529: The United States and Australia. In 2004 the L. League acquired the nickname the Nadeshiko League . Nadeshiko is the name of the dianthus flower and was chosen from suggestions by fans, signifying an ideal of a dutiful Japanese woman . In the 2004 season, the L. League added a second division, and until 2009 the league operated in the same way as the old Japan Soccer League for men where

630-523: The bottom club in the second division playing off against a regional league playoff winner. In 2010, the second division was divided into east and west groups of six teams each; the winners of each group were promoted to the first division. After Japan 's World Cup win in 2011 , the L. League saw an upsurge in popularity. In 2015, the league added a third division called the Nadeshiko Challenge League ( チャレンジリーグ , Charenji Rīgu )

665-607: 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. Primary venues used in the JFL: Clubs in bold compete in JFL as of 2024 season . Clubs in italic no longer exist. From 2014 to 2018 the Japan Football League switched to

700-403: The first round. In 2015, only the winner of the apertura (first half) qualified. In 1999 ( Bangabandhu Cup ) and since 2014, a JFL XI team has played off-season matches against guest teams. The 2016 season also featured an JFL East vs JFL West all-star encounter. The league follows a one-stage double round-robin, wherein the team finishing at the top of the table following the season is declared

735-599: 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

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770-406: 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

805-756: 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 (2024 — present time). JFL clubs may be affiliated to companies , or be entirely autonomous clubs or reserve teams of these. Until 2010, university clubs (which as

840-457: The outcome of the play-off or the number of teams withdrawn from the JFL. 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

875-772: The seventh level and below, parallel prefectural leagues are hosted by each of the 47 different prefectural football associations, again divided by political or geographical boundaries. Some have multiple divisions. Hokkaido Soccer League 8 clubs Tohoku Soccer League (30) Division 1 (10) Kantō Soccer League (20) Division 1 (10) Hokushinetsu Football League (16) Division 1 (8) Tōkai Adult Soccer League (17) Division 1 (8) Kansai Soccer League (16) Division (8) Chūgoku Soccer League 10 clubs Shikoku Soccer League 8 clubs Kyushu Soccer League 10 clubs Division 2 (18 in 2 groups) Division 2 (10) Division 2 (8) Division 2 (8) Division 2 (8) J. League governs

910-423: The system in 2012. Division 3 now has 20 clubs, after 2 new clubs were promoted into the system in 2023. From the 2024 season, the three J. League Divisions consist of 20 teams. All J. League clubs enter the Emperor's Cup directly and receive a bye in the 1st round, but only the Division 1 clubs qualify for the J. League Cup until 2023. In the past, J1 teams started from the fourth round and J2 teams started from

945-416: The third division in 2021. Since 2021, the Nadeshiko League consists of two divisions: ( Plenus Nadeshiko League Division 1 ) 12 clubs ↓ 1 relegation spot + 1 promotion/relegation series spot ( Plenus Nadeshiko League Division 2 ) 10 clubs ↑ 1 promotion spot + 1 promotion/relegation series spot ↓ 1 relegation spot + 1 promotion/relegation series spot Bold indicate doubles with

980-453: The third round. Nowadays, they all start from the second round due to the expansion of J2, this results in some eliminations of professional teams by regional teams in the early stages. Rules for promotion to J2 is largely similar to those of Japan Football League in the recent seasons: to be promoted, a club must hold a J2 license and finish in top 2 of the league. Until the 2016 season, the champions were promoted directly, in exchange with

1015-511: The three divisions of the J.League . The league features fully professional teams that hold J.League associate membership among its ranks. 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

1050-711: The top JFL club at the halfway point of the season may qualify directly. However, if they have also won their respective prefectural cup, the prefectural cup runners-up take their place in the indirect round. In modern Japan, the country is divided into 9 different regions. From North to South they are Hokkaido , Touhoku , Kantou , Tokai , Hokushin-etsu ( Hokuriku + Shin-etsu ), Kansai , Shikoku , Chugoku , and Kyushu . Each region has its own football league, and they make up 9 parallel football leagues governed by designated regional FAs. The Hokkaido, Chugoku, Shikoku, and Kyushu Regional Leagues have only one division, whereas others have two divisions. On top of that, Touhoku Division 2

1085-465: The top three levels of the Japanese football pyramid and comprises a total of 60 clubs, all of which are fully professional and are divided into three divisions, J1 League (J1), J2 League (J2) and J3 League (J3). Eighteen (18) clubs make up the top flight and have access to the Asian premier football competition, AFC Champions League . Division 2 now has 22 clubs, after 2 new clubs were promoted into

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1120-539: The top two tiers enter the Empress's Cup directly, with the clubs below having to qualify through regional tournaments. The top tier clubs also qualify for the WE League Cup . 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

1155-411: The world. The leagues are bound by the principle of promotion and relegation ; however, there are stringent criteria for promotion from the JFL to J3 , which demands a club being backed by the town itself including the local government, a community of fans and corporate sponsors rather than a parent company or a corporation . The top three levels of the Japanese football league system are operated by

1190-547: Was added, and the first and second divisions now had 10 teams each. In 2020, the Japan Football Association announced that the newly established WE League will become the top level for women's football in Japan in 2021. The Nadeshiko League would then become the second to fourth levels of the Japanese women's football pyramid. After many top teams left for the WE League, the Nadeshiko League abolished

1225-458: 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. Therefore, the JFL is treated as equal to J3 in theory, but in practice it is considered equivalent to a 4th division. 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

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