Japan Football League

:"In Japan's football history, there are two different leagues that have the same English name "Japan Football League" although their Japanese names are different. One is the 3rd tier of the Japanese football league system, following J. League division 1 and 2. Also known as the JFL, it is generally considered as the top amateur league in Japan although in reality it is a semi-professional league as many full-time footballers play in the league. The JFL is directly governed by the Japan Football Association, as opposed to J. League whose governing body is the independent Japan Professional Football League (like the Football Conference being governed by the FA in England).

Foundation

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 Denki, the winners of the resional league play-off, formed the new Japan Football League. These 8 teams together with Yokohama F.C. 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 F.C., Honda Giken F.C., Jatco F.C., Kokushikan University F.C., Mito HollyHock, Otsuka Pharmaceutical F.C., Sony Sendai F.C., Yokohama F.C. and Yokogawa Denki F.C..

Overview

The original number of clubs was 9, as mentioned above. In the following season the number was increased 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.

Clubs may be affiliated to companies, universities, or be entirely autonomous clubs or reserve teams of these. University clubs, which as a rule do not play in the Japanese football league system, are recommended by the Japan University Football Association and must play off against bottom JFL teams for entrance. B-teams are allowed to participate as only A-squads of truly autonomous clubs are eligible for J. League Associate Membership (see below).

Promotion from JFL

A club that satisfies the following criteria will be promoted to J. League Div. 2.

* Have J. League Associate Membership
* Finish the season in the top four in JFL, and in the top two amongst associate members.
* Pass the final inspection by J. League Committee

Relegation from JFL

Two teams at the bottom of the league may face a relegation/promotion play-off against the teams finished at the top of the Regional League play-offs. The number of the teams who need to compete in the play-off varies depending on the number of the teams that are promoted to J2 or withdraw from the JFL.

Emperor's Cup eligibility

Only the club at the top of the standings at half-season (17 matches completed) qualifies for the Emperor's Cup and enters it at the third round along with the clubs in J2. Every other club must qualify through a qualifying cup in their own prefecture and then must enter at the first round. If the top JFL club has won its own prefectural qualifying cup, the runner-up takes its place in the cup's first round.

2008 Season

Following eighteen clubs will be competing in the 2008 season. The league will follow double round-robin system, home and away.
*Arte Takasaki ↑
*Fagiano Okayama F.C. ↑
*Gainare Tottori ↑
*Honda F.C.
*JEF United Ichihara Chiba Reserves
*F.C. Kariya
*Kataller Toyama ↑
*MIO Biwako Kusatsu ↑
*Mitsubishi Motors Mizushima F.C. ↑
*New Wave Kitakyushu ↑
*F.C. Ryūkyū ↑
*Ryutsu Keizai University F.C.
*Sagawa Shiga F.C.
*Sagawa Printing S.C.
*Sony Sendai F.C.
*TDK S.C.
*Tochigi S.C. ↑
*Yokogawa Musashino F.C. ↑

* Bold designates J. League associate members; ↑ Clubs intending to join J. League in the future

Championship, promotion and relegation history

Football in Japan
-
Japan Football League