J2 League facts for kids
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| Organising body | J.League |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1999 |
| Country | Japan |
| Confederation | AFC |
| Number of teams | 20 |
| Level on pyramid | 2 |
| Promotion to | J1 League |
| Relegation to | J3 League |
| Domestic cup(s) | Emperor's Cup |
| Current champions | Machida Zelvia (1st title) (2023) |
| Most championships | Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo (3 titles) |
| TV partners | DAZN |
The J2 League, often called J2, is Japan's second-highest professional football league. It is part of the Japan Professional Football League, right below the top-tier J1 League. Currently, Meiji Yasuda Life sponsors the league, so its official name is the Meiji Yasuda J2 League. Before 2014, it was known as the J.League Division 2.
Professional second-tier football in Japan started in 1999. Ten clubs formed the first J2 League. One team came from the top division. Nine teams joined from the semi-professional former JFL. The JFL then became the third-tier league. Today, the J3 League is the third level of Japanese football.
Contents
History of Japan's Second-Tier Football
Japanese club football has a long history. Before the J.League started in 1993, there was the Japan Soccer League.
How Japan's Second Division Developed
Early Days: Amateur Football (Before 1999)
The first national second division for Japanese football began in 1972. It was part of the JSL. Ten clubs started in this division. Some of these clubs, like Toyota Motors and Yomiuri, later played in the J.League.
Initially, the top teams in the second division played against the bottom teams of the first division. This was to decide who would get promoted or relegated. This rule changed over time. In 1985, the Second Division grew to 12 clubs, then to 16 in 1986.
In 1992, after the J.League was formed, the JSL Second Division changed its name. It became the (former) Japan Football League. This league was split into two parts. By 1994, it became one division again. As the J.League grew, there was a need for another professional second division. Many clubs wanted to become professional.
Becoming Professional: The J2 League Begins (1999–2004)
In 1999, the league system changed a lot. The new J2 League was created. It took nine clubs from the semi-professional JFL. It also took one team that was relegated from the top J.League. This created a two-division professional system. The top league became J.League Division 1 (J1) with 16 clubs. J.League Division 2 (J2) started with ten clubs. The old Japan Football League became the third-tier league.
The rules for joining J2 were not as strict as for J1. This allowed smaller cities to have successful clubs. These clubs did not need to spend as much money as J1 teams. For example, Mito HollyHock often has smaller crowds and less sponsorship. Yet, they still have competitive teams in J2.
J2 clubs took time to grow their teams for J1 promotion. They also worked on their youth systems, stadiums, and finances. They built strong relationships with their local communities. Clubs like Oita Trinita and Albirex Niigata did this well. They started in J2 in 1999 and were small. But they eventually earned promotion to J1.
The league also started to use rules similar to European football. From 1999 to 2001, games had extra time if there was no winner. This extra time was removed in 2002. The league then adopted the standard 3-1-0 points system. This means 3 points for a win, 1 for a draw, and 0 for a loss.
Growing Bigger: Early Expansion (2004–2009)
Two clubs from the Japan Football League, Mito HollyHock and Yokohama FC, joined J2 in 2000 and 2001. Yokohama FC was formed by fans of Yokohama Flügels. This team had closed down after merging with another club.
For a few seasons, no other clubs joined J2. But in 2004, Thespa Kusatsu and Tokushima Vortis joined. Two years later, Ehime FC followed. Many amateur clubs across Japan wanted to become professional. They saw that J2 allowed clubs to compete professionally with smaller budgets.
The league realized many clubs wanted to join. They decided to expand J2 to 22 clubs. They thought this was better than creating a new third division. The Japan Football League was already helping non-league clubs prepare. Also, 22 clubs is a good number for J2. It allows for enough home games and fair competition.
The league also brought back the Associate Membership System in 2006. This helped the league find interested non-league clubs. It also gave them support. Clubs that finished in the top 4 of the JFL and had associate membership could be promoted to J2. Six more clubs joined J2 through this system.
As more clubs joined, the league format changed. It went from playing each team four times to three times. This happened in 2008 (with 15 clubs) and 2009 (with 18 clubs). In 2009, three teams could now be promoted to J1. The Promotion/relegation Series, which allowed the third-place J2 club to play for a J1 spot, was stopped.
New Format: Double Round-Robin (2010–2011)
When the league reached 19 clubs in 2010, J2 adopted a double round-robin format. This means each team plays every other team twice (once at home, once away). The league continued to grow to 22 clubs. During this time, no teams were relegated to the Japan Football League.
Playoffs and Relegation (2012–Present)
When J2 reached 22 clubs, new rules were added. Only the top two teams automatically get promoted to J1. Teams from 3rd to 6th place now play in a playoff series. The winner of this playoff gets the final promotion spot. This is similar to leagues like the EFL Championship in England.
The playoff rules favor teams that finished higher in the league:
- The 3rd place team plays the 6th place team. The 4th place team plays the 5th.
- These are single matches, played at the home of the higher-ranked team.
- The winners play in a final match. The higher-ranked team hosts this game.
- If a playoff match is a draw after normal time, the team that finished higher in the league wins. There is no extra time or penalty shootout.
- If a team in the top six cannot be promoted (for example, if they don't have a J1 license), they don't play. Higher-ranked teams might get a "bye" (skip a round).
Also, starting in 2012, up to two clubs can be relegated to the lower league. This was the Japan Football League in 2012. From 2013, it became the J3 League.
Current Rules and Future Plans (2013–Present)
Since 2013, clubs need a special license to play in the J.League. If a club doesn't have the right license, it can be relegated to the third tier, even if its league position is good. The J3 League was created in 2014 for teams that want to join the J.League. The J2 structure is expected to stay mostly the same.
Since 2017, two clubs are promoted from J3 to J2, and two are relegated from J2 to J3. From 2018 to 2022, the J2 playoff winner played against the 16th-placed J1 club. If the J2 team won, they were promoted. If not, the J1 team stayed in J1.
From the 2023 season, the J2 playoff winner is directly promoted to J1. They no longer need to play against a J1 team. Starting in 2024, the three teams at the very bottom of J2 will automatically be relegated to J3.
J2 League Milestones: A Timeline
| Year | Important Events | # J2 Clubs |
Prom. Slots |
Rel. Slots |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 |
|
10 | 2 | 0 |
| 2000 |
|
11 | ||
| 2001 |
|
12 | ||
| 2002 |
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| 2003 | ||||
| 2004 |
|
2.5 | ||
| 2005 |
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| 2006 |
|
13 | ||
| 2007 | ||||
| 2008 |
|
15 | ||
| 2009 |
|
18 | 3 | |
| 2010 |
|
19 | ||
| 2011 |
|
20 | ||
| 2012 |
|
22 | 1 | |
| 2013 |
|
0.5 | ||
| 2014 |
|
1.5 | ||
| 2015 |
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| 2016 |
|
|||
| 2017 |
|
2 | ||
| 2018 |
|
2.5 | ||
| 2019 |
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| 2020 |
|
2 | 0 | |
| 2021 |
|
4 | ||
| 2022 |
|
2.5 | 2 | |
| 2023 |
|
3 | ||
| 2024 |
|
20 | 3 |
J2 League's Place in Japanese Football
Since J2 started in 1999, promotion and relegation rules have been similar to European leagues. The top two J2 clubs usually move up to J1. The two bottom J1 clubs move down to J2.
From 2004 to 2008, the third-place J2 club played a special series against the 16th-place J1 club. The winner played in the top league next year. After 2009, the top three J2 clubs were automatically promoted. This replaced three relegated J1 clubs. However, J2 clubs needed to meet J1 club requirements to be promoted. No club has ever been denied promotion for not meeting these rules.
The J3 League is now the third level in Japanese football. It replaced the Japan Football League (JFL). The JFL is now one step lower. Since J2 is a professional league, only certain J3 clubs can be promoted. From 2007, clubs need to be a J.League Associate Member. They also need to finish at least fourth in the JFL (or J3 from 2013) to be promoted to J2. Currently, two teams are relegated from J2 to J3.
Since 1999, 16 clubs from the JFL (and later J3) have been promoted to J2. Two of these even went on to play in J1. J1 currently has 18 clubs, and J2 has 20 clubs. From 2024, both J1 and J2 will have 20 teams.
The J2 format has changed over time. From 1999 to 2007, clubs played each other four times. To handle more teams, a triple round-robin format was used in 2008 and 2009. Until 2001, games went into extra time if tied. Teams got points for wins, extra time wins, or draws. But from 2002, extra time was removed. The league adopted the standard three points for a win, one for a draw, and zero for a loss.
The number of clubs reached 19 in 2010. The league then changed to a double round-robin format. The number of teams grew to 20 in 2011 and 22 in 2012. It stayed at 22 until the 2023 season. From 2024, all professional leagues will have 20 teams.
J2 League Logos
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Older logo
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Logo used from 2015 to 2018
.png){kind=small}
The 2024 J2 Season
Twenty clubs play in the J2 League. They play each other twice, once at home and once away. This means each team plays 38 games.
- A team gets three points for a win.
- One point for a tie.
- No points for a loss.
Teams are ranked by points. If teams have the same points, these rules decide who is higher:
- Goal difference (goals scored minus goals against)
- Total goals scored
- Results from games played against each other
- Disciplinary points (fewer points for fewer fouls/cards)
If teams are still tied, a draw might be held. If two clubs are tied for first place, both are named champions.
The top two clubs are directly promoted to J1. The third promotion spot is decided by a playoff. This playoff is between teams ranked 3rd to 6th. The team that wins this playoff also moves up to J1. To play in the playoffs, a club must have a J1 license. If a club doesn't have one, they can't join the playoffs. No other club will take their place.
Relegation to the J3 League depends on which J3 teams can be promoted. Up to three clubs can move between J2 and J3. The three bottom teams in J2 (18th, 19th, and 20th place) are directly relegated. They are replaced by the J3 champion, runner-up, and playoff winner. If a J3 team can't get a J2 license, they won't be promoted. This means fewer J2 teams will be relegated.
- Prize money for top teams
- First place: 20,000,000 yen (about $130,000 USD)
- Second place: 10,000,000 yen (about $65,000 USD)
- Third place: 5,000,000 yen (about $32,500 USD)
J2 League Teams (2024)
| Club name | Year joined | Seasons in J2 |
Based in | First season in D2 |
Seasons in D2 |
Current spell in D2 |
Last spell in top flight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blaublitz Akita | 2014 (J3) | 4 | All cities/towns in Akita | 1985 | 6 | 2021– | – |
| Ehime FC | 2006 (J2) | 15 | All cities/towns in Ehime | 2001 | 6 | 2024– | – |
| Fagiano Okayama | 2009 | 13 | All cities/towns in Okayama | 2009 | 13 | 2009– | – |
| Fujieda MYFC | 2014 (J3) | 1 | Central cities/towns in Shizuoka | 2023 | 1 | 2023– | – |
| Iwaki FC | 2022 (J3) | 2 | Iwaki and Futaba District, Fukushima | 2023 | 2 | 2023– | – |
| JEF United Chiba | 1993 (J) | 12 | Chiba & Ichihara, Chiba | 2010 | 12 | 2010– | 1965–2009 |
| Kagoshima United | 2016 (J3) | 1 | Kagoshima, Kagoshima | 2019 | 1 | 2024– | |
| Mito HollyHock | 2000 | 21 | Mito, Ibaraki | 1997 | 23 | 2000– | – |
| Montedio Yamagata | 1999 | 19 | All cities/towns in Yamagata | 1994 | 24 | 2016– | 2015 |
| Oita Trinita | 1999 | 12 | Ōita | 1996 | 15 | 2022– | 2019–2021 |
| Renofa Yamaguchi | 2015 (J3) | 6 | All cities/towns in Yamaguchi | 2016 | 6 | 2016– | – |
| Roasso Kumamoto | 2008 | 11 | Kumamoto | 2008 | 11 | 2022– | – |
| Shimizu S-Pulse | 1993 (J) | 28 | Shizuoka | 2017 | 28 | 2023– | 2017–2022 |
| Thespa Gunma | 2005 | 15 | All cities/towns in Gunma | 2005 | 15 | 2020– | – |
| Tochigi SC | 2009 | 11 | Utsunomiya, Tochigi | 2009 | 11 | 2018– | – |
| Tokushima Vortis | 2005 | 15 | All cities/towns in Tokushima | 1990/91 | 24 | 2022– | 2021 |
| V-Varen Nagasaki | 2013 | 8 | All cities/towns in Nagasaki | 2013 | 8 | 2019– | 2018 |
| Vegalta Sendai | 1999 | 9 | Sendai, Miyagi | 1995 | 13 | 2022– | 2010–2021 |
| Ventforet Kofu | 1999 | 15 | All cities/towns in Yamanashi | 1972 | 40 | 2018– | 2013–2017 |
| Yokohama FC | 2001 (J2) | 3 | Yokohama, Kanagawa | 2007 | 3 | 2024– | 2023 |
- Gray background means the club was recently relegated from Division 1.
- Pink background means the club was recently promoted from J3 League.
- "Year joined" is when the club joined the J.League (Division 2 unless noted).
- "First season in D2", "Seasons in D2", and "Last spell in D2" include all past second-tier football leagues.
- "Last spell in top flight" includes seasons in the old Japan Soccer League First Division.
Stadiums Used in J2 (2024)
Here are the main stadiums used by J2 League teams:
| Blaublitz Akita | Ehime FC | Fagiano Okayama | Fujieda MYFC | Iwaki FC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soyu Stadium | Ningineer Stadium | City Light Stadium | Fujieda Soccer Stadium | Hawaiians Stadium Iwaki |
| Capacity: 20,125 | Capacity: 20,983 | Capacity: 20,000 | Capacity: 9,282 | Capacity: 5,600 |
| JEF United Chiba | Kagoshima United | Mito HollyHock | Montedio Yamagata | Oita Trinita |
| Fukuda Denshi Arena | Shiranami Stadium | K's denki Stadium Mito | ND Soft Stadium | Resonac Dome Oita |
| Capacity: 19,781 | Capacity: 19,934 | Capacity: 12,000 | Capacity: 20,315 | Capacity: 40,000 |
| Renofa Yamaguchi | Roasso Kumamoto | Shimizu S-Pulse | Thespa Gunma | Tochigi SC |
| Ishin Me-Life Stadium | Egao Kenko Stadium | IAI Stadium Nihondaira | Shoda Shoyu Stadium Gunma | Kanseki Stadium Tochigi |
| Capacity: 20,000 | Capacity: 32,000 | Capacity: 20,248 | Capacity: 15,253 | Capacity: 25,244 |
| Tokushima Vortis | V-Varen Nagasaki | Vegalta Sendai | Ventforet Kofu | Yokohama FC |
| Pocarisweat Stadium | Transcosmos Stadium Nagasaki | Yurtec Stadium Sendai | JIT Recycle Ink Stadium | NHK Spring Mitsuzawa Football Stadium |
| Capacity: 20,441 | Capacity: 20,246 | Capacity: 19,694 | Capacity: 17,000 | Capacity: 15,454 |
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Former J2 League Clubs
| Club | Year joined |
Seasons in J2 |
Based in | First season in D2 |
Seasons in D2 |
Last spell in D2 |
Current league |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albirex Niigata | 1999 (J2) | 4 | Niigata, Niigata | 1999 | 8 | 2018–2022 | J1 |
| Avispa Fukuoka | 1996 (J) | 16 | Fukuoka | 1991/92 | 20 | 2017–2020 | J1 |
| Cerezo Osaka | 1995 (J) | 6 | Osaka and Sakai, Osaka | 1991/92 | 10 | 2015–2016 | J1 |
| Consadole Sapporo | 1998 (J) | 14 | All cities/towns in Hokkaido | 1978 | 31 | 2013–2016 | J1 |
| Ehime FC | 2006 | 16 | All cities/towns in Ehime | 2006 | 16 | 2006–2021 | J3 |
| Gainare Tottori | 2011 | 3 | All cities/towns in Tottori | 2011 | 3 | 2011–2013 | J3 |
| Gamba Osaka | 1993 (J) | 1 | Suita, Osaka | 1984 | 4 | 2013 | J1 |
| FC Gifu | 2008 | 12 | All cities/towns in Gifu | 2008 | 12 | 2008–2019 | J3 |
| Giravanz Kitakyushu | 2010 | 9 | Kitakyushu, Fukuoka | 2010 | 9 | 2020–2021 | J3 |
| Iwate Grulla Morioka | 2014 (J3) | 1 | Morioka, Iwate | 2022 | 1 | 2022 | J3 |
| Júbilo Iwata | 1994 (J) | 5 | Iwata, Shizuoka | 1979 | 9 | 2023 | J1 |
| Kamatamare Sanuki | 2014 | 5 | All cities/towns in Kagawa | 2014 | 5 | 2014–2018 | J3 |
| Kashiwa Reysol | 1995 (J) | 3 | Kashiwa, Chiba | 1987/88 | 9 | 2019 | J1 |
| Kataller Toyama | 2009 | 6 | All cities/towns in Toyama | 2009 | 6 | 2009–2014 | J3 |
| Kawasaki Frontale | 1999 | 5 | Kawasaki, Kanagawa | 1972 | 25 | 2001–2004 | J1 |
| Kyoto Sanga | 1996 (J) | 15 | Southwestern cities in Kyoto | 1972 | 28 | 2010–2021 | J1 |
| Machida Zelvia | 2012 | 6 | Machida, Tokyo | 2009 | 6 | 2016–2023 | J1 |
| Matsumoto Yamaga | 2012 | 9 | Central cities/towns in Nagano | 2012 | 9 | 2020–2021 | J3 |
| Nagoya Grampus | 1993 (J) | 1 | All cities/towns in Aichi | 1972 | 13 | 2017 | J1 |
| Omiya Ardija | 1999 (J2) | 4 | Niigata, Niigata | 1999 | 8 | 2019–2023 | J3 |
| Ryukyu Okinawa | 2014 (J3) | 4 | All cities/towns in Okinawa | 2019 | 4 | 2019–2022 | J3 |
| SC Sagamihara | 2014 (J3) | 1 | Sagamihara, Kanagawa | 2021 | 1 | 2021 | J3 |
| Sagan Tosu | 1999 | 13 | Tosu, Saga | 1994 | 18 | 1994–2011 | J1 |
| Sanfrecce Hiroshima | 1993 (J) | 2 | Hiroshima, Hiroshima | 1984 | 7 | 2008 | J1 |
| Shonan Bellmare | 1994 (J) | 14 | Western cities/towns in Kanagawa | 1990/91 | 18 | 2017 | J1 |
| FC Tokyo | 1999 | 2 | Tokyo | 1991/92 | 10 | 2011 | J1 |
| Tokyo Verdy | 1993 (J) | 2 | Tokyo | 1972 | 10 | 2009–2023 | J1 |
| Urawa Red Diamonds | 1993 (J) | 1 | Saitama | 1989/90 | 2 | 2000 | J1 |
| Vissel Kobe | 1997 (J) | 2 | Kobe, Hyōgo | 1986/87 | 11 | 2013 | J1 |
| Zweigen Kanazawa | 2001 | 4 | Kanazawa, Ishikawa | 2001 | 8 | 2015–2023 | J3 |
- Pink background means clubs that were recently promoted to J1 League.
- Gray background means club that was recently relegated to J3 League.
- "Year joined" is when the club joined the J.League (Division 2 unless noted).
- "First season in D2", "Seasons in D2", and "Last Spell in D2" include all past second-tier football leagues.
J2 Champions and Promotion History
The top two clubs in J2 get promoted to J1.
- From 2004 to 2008, the third-place club played a special promotion/relegation series against the 16th-place J1 club.
- From 2009 to 2011, the third-place club was automatically promoted.
- From 2012 to 2017, and again from 2023, the third promotion spot is decided by a playoff. This playoff is between the 3rd to 6th placed teams.
- From 2018 to 2019 and in 2022, the playoff winners played against the 16th-place team in J1.
* Bold means the club was promoted.
† Lost the Promotion/relegation Series or entry playoff.
‡ Won the Promotion/relegation Series or entry playoff and got promoted.
Most Successful J2 Clubs
Clubs in bold are playing in J2 as of the 2023 season.
| Club | Winners | Runners-up | Promotions | Winning seasons | Runners-up seasons | Promotion seasons |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Consadole Sapporo |
|
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2000, 2007, 2016 | 2000, 2007, 2011, 2016 | |
| Shonan Bellmare |
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|
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2014, 2017 | 2012 | 2009, 2012, 2014, 2017 |
| Kyoto Sanga |
|
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2001, 2005 | 2021 | 2001, 2005, 2007, 2021 |
| Kashiwa Reysol |
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2010, 2019 | 2006 | 2006, 2010, 2019 |
| Kawasaki Frontale |
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1999, 2004 | 1999, 2004 | |
| Albirex Niigata |
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2003, 2022 | 2003, 2022 | |
| Yokohama FC |
|
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2006 | 2019, 2022 | 2006, 2019, 2022 |
| Ventforet Kofu |
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2012 | 2010 | 2005, 2010, 2012 |
| Oita Trinita |
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2002 | 2002, 2012, 2018 | |
| Sanfrecce Hiroshima |
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2008 | 2003 | 2003, 2008 |
| Vegalta Sendai |
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2009 | 2001 | 2001, 2009 |
| FC Tokyo |
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2011 | 1999 | 1999, 2011 |
| Omiya Ardija |
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2015 | 2004 | 2004, 2015 |
| Júbilo Iwata |
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2021 | 2015, 2023 | 2015, 2021, 2023 |
| Tokushima Vortis |
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2020 | 2013, 2020 | |
| Matsumoto Yamaga |
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2018 | 2014 | 2014 |
| Gamba Osaka |
|
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2013 | 2013 | |
| Machida Zelvia |
|
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2023 | 2023 | |
| Avispa Fukuoka |
|
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2005, 2020 | 2005, 2010, 2015, 2020 | |
| Cerezo Osaka |
|
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2002, 2009 | 2002, 2009, 2016 | |
| Vissel Kobe |
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2013 | 2006, 2013 | |
| Montedio Yamagata |
|
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2008 | 2008, 2014 | |
| Urawa Red Diamonds |
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2000 | 2000 | |
| Tokyo Verdy |
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2007 | 2007, 2023 | |
| Sagan Tosu |
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2011 | 2011 | |
| Shimizu S-Pulse |
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2016 | 2016 | |
| V-Varen Nagasaki |
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2017 | 2017 | |
| Nagoya Grampus |
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2017 |
J2 Promotion Playoff Results
| Season | First semi-final (3rd vs 6th) | Second semi-final (4th vs 5th) | Final |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Kyoto Sanga 0–4 Oita Trinita | Yokohama FC 0–4 JEF United Chiba | Oita Trinita 1–0 JEF United Chiba |
| 2013 | Kyoto Sanga 0–0 V-Varen Nagasaki | Tokushima Vortis 1–1 JEF United Chiba | Kyoto Sanga 0–2 Tokushima Vortis |
| 2014 | Not held | Júbilo Iwata 1–2 Montedio Yamagata (6th) | JEF United Chiba 0–1 Montedio Yamagata |
| 2015 | Avispa Fukuoka 1–0 V-Varen Nagasaki | Cerezo Osaka 0–0 Ehime FC | Avispa Fukuoka 1–1 Cerezo Osaka |
| 2016 | Matsumoto Yamaga 1–2 Fagiano Okayama | Cerezo Osaka 1–1 Kyoto Sanga | Cerezo Osaka 1–0 Fagiano Okayama |
| 2017 | Nagoya Grampus 4–2 JEF United Chiba | Avispa Fukuoka 1–0 Tokyo Verdy | Nagoya Grampus 0–0 Avispa Fukuoka |
| 2023 | Tokyo Verdy 2–1 JEF United Chiba | Shimizu S-Pulse 0–0 Montedio Yamagata | Tokyo Verdy 1–1 Shimizu S-Pulse |
| 2024 |
| Season | First round | Second round | Final |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Tokyo Verdy (6th) 1–0 Omiya Ardija (5th) | Tokyo Verdy (6th) 1–0 Yokohama FC (3rd) | Júbilo Iwata 2–0 Tokyo Verdy |
| 2019 | Montedio Yamagata (3rd) 2–0 Omiya Ardija (6th) Tokushima Vortis (4th) 1–1 Ventforet Kofu (5th) |
Tokushima Vortis 1–0 Montedio Yamagata | Shonan Bellmare 1–1 Tokushima Vortis |
| 2022 | Fagiano Okayama (3rd) 0–3 Montedio Yamagata (6th) Roasso Kumamoto (4th) 2–2 Oita Trinita (5th) |
Roasso Kumamoto 2–2 Montedio Yamagata | Kyoto Sanga 1–1 Roasso Kumamoto |
- Playoff Results by Club
| Club | Participated | Winners | Runners-up | Seasons participated |
Winning seasons | Runner-up seasons |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cerezo Osaka |
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2015, 2016 | 2016 | 2015 |
| Avispa Fukuoka |
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2015, 2017 | 2015 | 2017 |
| Montedio Yamagata |
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2014, 2016 | 2014 | |
| Tokushima Vortis |
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2013 | 2013 | 2019 |
| Oita Trinita |
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2012 | 2012 | |
| Nagoya Grampus |
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2017 | 2017 | |
| JEF United Chiba |
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2012, 2013, 2014, 2017 | 2012, 2014 | |
| Kyoto Sanga |
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2012, 2013, 2016 | 2013 | |
| Tokyo Verdy |
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2017 | 2018 | |
| Yokohama FC |
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2012 | ||
| V-Varen Nagasaki |
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2013 | ||
| Júbilo Iwata |
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2014 | ||
| Ehime FC |
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2015 | ||
| Fagiano Okayama |
|
|
|
2016 |
Relegation History from J2
When J2 first started, teams could only be promoted into it, not relegated out of it. After growing to 22 teams, the J.League began to relegate teams from J2 to the lower leagues. Machida Zelvia was the first team to be relegated from J2 in 2012. They were the only team ever relegated to the Japan Football League. The next year, the professional J3 League was formed. This made relegation between J2 and J3 a regular thing.
From 2017 to 2019, and again from 2022 to 2023, the 21st and 22nd place J2 teams were relegated. They were replaced by the J3 champion and runner-up. If a J3 team didn't have the J2 license, they couldn't be promoted. This meant fewer J2 teams would be relegated.
No teams were relegated from J1 or to J3 after the 2020 season. This was due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan. Instead, two promotions and four relegations happened in 2021. This kept the number of J2 teams at 22. From 2024, three teams will be relegated to J3.
| Year | 19th place | 20th place | 21st place | 22nd place |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | N/A | FC Gifu | Machida Zelvia | |
| 2013 | Gainare Tottori‡ | |||
| 2014 | Kamatamare Sanuki† | Kataller Toyama | ||
| 2015 | Oita Trinita‡ | Tochigi SC | ||
| 2016 | Zweigen Kanazawa† | Giravanz Kitakyushu | ||
| 2017 | Roasso Kumamoto | Thespakusatsu Gunma | ||
| 2018 | Roasso Kumamoto | Kamatamare Sanuki | ||
| 2019 | Kagoshima United | FC Gifu | ||
| 2021 | SC Sagamihara | Ehime FC | Giravanz Kitakyushu | Matsumoto Yamaga |
| 2022 | N/A | FC Ryukyu | Iwate Grulla Morioka | |
| 2023 | Omiya Ardija | Zweigen Kanazawa | ||
| Year | 18th place | 19th place | 20th place |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 |
* Bold means relegated clubs.
† Won the playoff against JFL or J3 team.
‡ Lost the playoff series to JFL or J3 team and was relegated.
Top Scorers in J2 League History
| Year | Player | Nationality | Squad | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Takuya Jinno |  Japan |
Oita Trinita | 19 |
| 2000 | Emerson Sheik |  Brazil |
Consadole Sapporo | 31 |
| 2001 | Marcos | Vegalta Sendai | 34 | |
| 2002 | Marx | Albirex Niigata | 19 | |
| 2003 | 32 | |||
| 2004 | Juninho | Kawasaki Frontale | 37 | |
| 2005 | Paulinho | Kyoto Purple Sanga | 22 | |
| 2006 | Humberlito Borges | Vegalta Sendai | 26 | |
| 2007 | Hulk | Tokyo Verdy | 37 | |
| 2008 | Hisato Sato | Japan |
Sanfrecce Hiroshima | 28 |
| 2009 | Shinji Kagawa | Cerezo Osaka | 27 | |
| 2010 | Mike Havenaar | Ventforet Kofu | 20 | |
| 2011 | Yohei Toyoda | Sagan Tosu | 23 | |
| 2012 | Davi | Brazil |
Ventforet Kofu | 32 |
| 2013 | Kempes | JEF United Chiba | 22 | |
| 2014 | Masashi Oguro | Japan |
Kyoto Sanga | 26 |
| 2015 | Jay Bothroyd |  England |
Júbilo Iwata | 20 |
| 2016 | Jong Tae-se |  North Korea |
Shimizu S-Pulse | 26 |
| 2017 | Ibba Laajab |  Norway |
Yokohama FC | 25 |
| 2018 | Genki Omae | Japan |
Omiya Ardija | 24 |
| 2019 | Leonardo | Brazil |
Albirex Niigata | 28 |
| 2020 | Peter Utaka |  Nigeria |
Kyoto Sanga | 22 |
| 2021 | Lukian | Brazil |
Júbilo Iwata | 22 |
| 2022 | Koki Ogawa | Japan |
Yokohama FC | 26 |
| 2023 | Juanma |  Spain |
V-Varen Nagasaki | 26 |
| 2024 |
See also
In Spanish: J2 League para niños
- Sport in Japan
- Football in Japan
- Women's football in Japan
- 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)
- Japan Football League (JFL) (Tier 4)
- 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)
- 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)
