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This page is about the men's football club based in Japan. For the women's team, see JEF United Chiba Ladies.
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JEF United Chiba
ジェフユナイテッド千葉
JEF United Chiba logo.svg
Full name JEF United Ichihara Chiba
Nickname(s) JEF, Inu (The Dogs)
Founded 1946; 79 years ago (1946)
as Furukawa Electric SC
Stadium Fukuda Denshi Arena
Chiba
Stadium
capacity		 19,781
Owner East Japan Railway Company (50%)
Furukawa Electric (50%)
Chairman Akira Shimada
Manager Yoshiyuki Kobayashi
League J2 League
2022 J2 League, 10th of 22

JEF United Chiba (full name: JEF United Ichihara Chiba) is a professional football club from Japan. They are also known as JEF Chiba. The club is based in Chiba, which is the capital city of Chiba Prefecture. Currently, they play in the J2 League, which is the second highest level of professional football in Japan.

Club History: From Company Team to Pro

Early Days as Furukawa Electric SC (1946–1991)

The club started way back in 1946 as a company team called Furukawa Electric Soccer Club. As a company team, they were very successful. They won the Japan Soccer League twice. They also won the Emperor's Cup four times. Plus, they won the JSL League Cup three times.

A big achievement was winning the 1986–87 Asian Club Championship. This is the top club award in Asia. Furukawa Electric was the first Japanese club to ever win it! The club was one of the first eight teams in the Japan Soccer League (JSL) in 1965. They always played in the top division in Japan. They were the only Japanese club that was never sent down to a lower league from the JSL Division 1.

Becoming JEF United Ichihara (1992–2004)

In 1991, the club joined with another company team, JR East. They changed their name to JEF United Ichihara when the J.League started in 1993. JEF United Ichihara was one of the first ten teams in the J.League. A famous player, Pierre Littbarski from Germany, helped build the team.

From 1998 to 2000, the club had some tough times. They worked hard to become a stronger team. When Ivica Osim became manager in 2003, JEF United started to compete for the league title. This happened even though they didn't have a lot of money or many fans at their games.

JEF United Chiba (2005–Present)

On February 1, 2005, the club changed its name to JEF United Chiba. This happened after Chiba city became a hometown for the club in 2003. The name JEF comes from the companies JR East and Furukawa Electric. United means that the club and its hometown are working together. JEF United is special because it's the only J.League team whose company name stayed in its club name. The J.League usually wanted teams to use only their hometown names.

On July 16, 2006, Ivica Osim left the club. He became the coach for the Japan national team. His son, Amar Osim, took over as manager. But on December 5, 2007, Amar Osim was let go. The team finished 13th in the 2007 season.

After 13 games in the 2008 season, Josip Kuže was also let go. On May 8, 2008, Alex Miller became the new manager. Miller used to be a coach at Liverpool F.C.

Furukawa Electric is no longer the main sponsor of the club. Now, Fuji Electric is the main sponsor. On November 8, 2009, JEF United Chiba was moved down to the J2 League. This happened after 44 seasons in Japan's top football division. Since 2010, JEF United Chiba has been playing in the J.League Division 2.

JEF United Chiba almost got promoted back to the top league in 2012. They were one of the teams expected to go straight to J1. However, they lost to teams like FC Gifu and F.C. Machida Zelvia. They then played in the playoffs. They beat Yokohama FC 4–0. But they lost the final match 1–0 to Oita Trinita at Tokyo National Stadium.

In the 2013 season, they played in the J1 promotion playoffs again. They lost the semi-final match to Tokushima Vortis 1–1. In 2014, they were in the promotion playoffs once more. They lost the final 0–1 to Montedio Yamagata. The club has been playing in the J2 for 14 seasons in a row as of 2023.

Club Symbols

Home Stadiums

JEF United used to play their home games at Ichihara Seaside Stadium. Now, they play at the Fukuda Denshi Arena. This stadium is bigger and made just for football. It opened in Chiba during the 2005 season. The club's training used to be in Ichihara. Since October 1, 2009, they train at UNITED PARK. This new training ground is close to Fukuda Denshi Arena.

Team Mascots

Jeffy Unity Mina
Jeffy, Unity, and Mina, the JEF United mascots.

JEF United Ichihara has three fun mascots. They are Akita Inu brothers named Jeffy and Unity. Jeffy wears the number 2, and Unity wears the number 9. They also have a third mascot named Mina, or Mina-chan. Mina's story is that she came to Soga Station one day. This station is near Fukuda Denshi Arena. She offered to work with Jeffy and Unity. Her jersey number is 12.

Club Slogan

Since 2001, JEF United's main idea has been "Win By All". This means everyone works together to win.

Other Teams

Furukawa Electric Chiba

This used to be JEF's reserve team. They were formed in 1967. They still exist today. They play in a regional league. In 2008, they changed their name to S.A.I. Ichihara. In 2011, they became Vonds Ichihara. They are now separate from Furukawa Electric.

JEF Reserves

JEF also had a reserve team called JEF United Ichihara Chiba Reserves. They played in the third level of Japanese football until 2011. But in 2011, the club stopped the B team. This was because of money problems.

JEF United Chiba Ladies

JEF United also has a women's football team. They are called JEF United Chiba Ladies.

Club Rivalries

Marunouchi Gosanke

Historically, JEF United has had big rivalries. Their fiercest rivals are Kashiwa Reysol and Urawa Reds. These teams are close neighbors. All three clubs were among the first eight teams in the Japan Soccer League in 1965. They played most seasons in the top league. Their former parent companies were all based in Marunouchi, Tokyo. Because of this, the three clubs were known as the Marunouchi Gosanke. Games between them were called the Marunouchi derbies.

Chiba Derby

JEF United and Reysol first played each other in 1941. This was in an old regional football league. Both clubs are now based in Chiba Prefecture. Their rivalry is known as the Chiba derby. They play a friendly match every year before the season starts. This match is called the Chibagin Cup. It has been played since 1995.

J.League Performance

JEF United Chiba has played many seasons in the J.League. Here's a look at their performance:

Champions Runners-up Third place Promoted Relegated
Season Division Teams Position P W D L F A GD Pts Attendance/G J.League
Cup		 Emperor's
Cup
JEF United Ichihara
1992 – – – – Group stage Quarter final
1993 J1 10 8th 36 14 - 22 51 67 -16 - 20,273 Group stage Quarter final
1994 12 9th 44 19 - 25 69 85 -16 - 22,262 2nd round 2nd round
1995 14 5th 52 28 - 20 97 91 6 88 15,418 – 1st round
1996 16 9th 30 13 - 16 45 47 -2 40 12,008 Group stage 3rd round
1997 17 13th 32 6 - 17 43 66 -23 28 5,693 Quarter-final 4th round
1998 18 16th 34 8 - 20 49 75 -26 25 5,365 Final 3rd round
1999 16 13th 30 6 2 14 41 56 -15 28 5,774 2nd round 3rd round
2000 16 14th 30 8 2 14 37 49 -12 28 6,338 2nd round Quarter final
2001 16 3rd 30 14 2 9 60 54 6 50 7,818 Quarter-final Quarter final
2002 16 7th 30 12 3 14 38 42 -4 41 7,897 Quarter-final Semi-final
2003 16 3rd 30 15 8 7 57 38 19 53 9,709 Group stage Quarter final
2004 16 4th 30 13 11 6 55 45 10 50 10,012 Group stage 4th round
JEF United Chiba
2005 J1 18 4th 34 16 11 7 56 42 14 59 9,535 Winner 5th round
2006 18 11th 34 13 5 16 57 58 -1 44 13,393 Winner 4th round
2007 18 13th 34 12 6 16 51 56 -5 42 14,149 Group stage 4th round
2008 18 15th 34 10 8 16 36 53 17 38 14,084 Quarter final 4th round
2009 18 18th 34 5 12 17 32 56 -24 27 14,730 Group stage 4th round
2010 J2 19 4th 36 18 7 11 58 37 21 61 11,689 Not eligible 4th round
2011 20 6th 38 16 10 12 46 39 7 58 9,680 Quarter final
2012 22 5th 42 21 9 12 61 33 28 72 9,281 Quarter final
2013 22 5th 42 18 12 12 68 49 19 66 10,004 3rd round
2014 22 3rd 42 18 14 10 55 44 11 68 9,333 Semi-final
2015 22 9th 42 15 12 15 50 45 5 57 10,725 3rd round
2016 22 11th 42 13 14 15 52 53 -1 53 10,292 3rd round
2017 22 6th 42 20 8 14 70 58 12 68 9,983 3rd round
2018 22 14th 42 16 7 19 72 72 0 55 9,858 3rd round
2019 22 17th 42 10 13 19 46 64 -18 43 9,701 2nd round
2020 † 22 14th 42 15 8 19 47 51 -4 53 2,778 Did not qualify
2021 † 22 8th 42 17 15 10 48 36 12 66 4,068 3rd round
2022 22 10th 42 17 10 15 44 42 2 61 5,775 2nd round
2023 22 6th 42 19 10 13 61 53 8 67 8,523 2nd round
2024 20 7th 38 19 4 15 67 48 19 61 10,431 1st round Quarter final
2025 20 TBD 38 1st round 2nd round
Key
* Pos. = Position in league; P = Games played; W = Games won; D = Games drawn; L = Games lost; F = Goals scored; A = Goals conceded; GD = Goals difference; Pts = Points gained
  • OTW / PKW = Overtime wins / Penalty kicks wins 1997 & 1998 seasons - 1999, 2000, 2001 & 2002 Overtime wins only
  • OTL / PKL = Overtime losses / Penalty kicks losses 1997 and 1998 seasons - 1999, 2000 & 2001 Overtime losses only
  • Attendance/G = Average home league attendance
  • † 2020 & 2021 seasons attendances reduced by COVID-19 worldwide pandemic
  • Source: J.League Data Site

Club Achievements

JEF United Chiba has won many awards throughout its history. These include wins as Furukawa Electric SC, JEF United Ichihara, and JEF United Chiba.

  • JSL Division 1: 2 times (1976, 1985)
  • All Japan Works Football Championship: 3 times (1959, 1961, 1962 - shared)
  • All Japan Inter-City Football Championship: 4 times (1959, 1960, 1961, 1964)
  • Emperor's Cup: 4 times (1960, 1961, 1964 - shared, 1976)
  • JSL Cup / J.League Cup: 5 times (1977, 1982, 1986, 2005, 2006)
  • Japanese Super Cup: 1 time (1977)
  • Asian Club Championship: 1 time (1986)

League History

  • Division 1 (JSL Div. 1): 1965–1992
  • Division 1 (J1): 1993–2009
  • Division 2 (J2): 2010–present

Current Players

Team Squad

As of July 17, 2025.

No. Position Player
2 Japan MF Issei Takahashi
3 Japan DF Ryota Kuboniwa
4 Japan MF Taishi Taguchi (vice-captain)
5 Japan MF Yusuke Kobayashi
6 Brazil MF Dudu Pacheco
7 Japan FW Kazuki Tanaka
9 Japan FW Hiroto Goya
10 Japan MF Akiyuki Yokoyama
11 Japan DF Koki Yonekura
13 Japan DF Daisuke Suzuki (captain)
14 Japan MF Naoki Tsubaki
15 Japan DF Takayuki Mae
17 Japan FW Masamichi Hayashi
18 Japan MF Naohiro Sugiyama
19 Spain GK José Aurelio Suárez
20 Japan FW Daichi Ishikawa
21 Japan GK Haruto Usui
No. Position Player
23 Japan GK Ryota Suzuki
24 Japan DF Koji Toriumi
25 Japan MF Takuya Yasui
26 Japan DF Yuta Ueda (on loan from Kyoto Sanga)
27 Japan MF Takuro Iwai
28 Japan DF Takashi Kawano
29 Brazil FW Carlinhos Júnior
31 Japan GK Michiya Okamoto
33 Japan MF Yuma Igari
35 Japan GK Tomoya Wakahara
36 Japan DF Riku Matsuda
38 Japan MF Gentaro Yoshida
39 Japan FW Kaito Mori (on loan from Yokohama FC)
42 Japan MF Zain Issaka (on loan from Montedio Yamagata)
44 Japan MF Manato Shinada
67 Japan MF Masaru Hidaka
99 Brazil FW Derek (on loan from Atlético Goianiense)

Players on Loan

These players are currently playing for other teams.

No. Position Player
48 Japan DF Soshiro Tanida (at Kagoshima United)
Japan DF Shuntaro Yaguchi (at Okinawa SV)
No. Position Player
Japan FW Ryuta Shimmyo (at Tiamo Hirakata)

International Players

Many players from JEF United have played for their national teams.

  • South American Countries
  • Kléber (Brazil)
  • Eduardo Aranda (Paraguay)

Coaching Staff

Here are the club officials for 2025.

Position Name
Manager Japan Yoshiyuki Kobayashi
Assistant manager Japan Masataka Sakamoto
Coaches Japan Masashi Owada
Japan Shunta Nagai
Goalkeeper coach Japan Motoki Kawahara
Physical coach Japan Ryota Mizuguchi
Analyst Japan Shunsuke Nakano
Interpreter Brazil Fabricio
Chief trainer Japan Yusuke Nakao
Athletic trainer Japan Yuya Okamoto
Japan Toshifumi Goto
Physiotherapist Japan Naoki Akiyoshi
Competent Japan Yuma Fukushima
Side affairs Japan Yusuke Hata
Kit man Japan Kosuke Tomitani

Manager History

Here is a list of all the managers who have led the team.

Manager Nationality Tenure
Yoshikazu Nagai Japan Japan 1992–1993
Eijun Kiyokumo Japan Japan 1994–1995
Yasuhiko Okudera Japan Japan 1996
Jan Versleijen Netherlands Netherlands 1997–1998
Gert Engels Germany Germany 1999
Nicolae Zamfir Romania Romania 1999–2000
Sugao Kambe (interim) Japan Japan 2000
Zdenko Verdenik Slovenia Slovenia 2000–2001
Sugao Kambe (interim) Japan Japan 2001
Jozef Vengloš Slovakia Slovakia 2002
Ivica Osim Bosnia and Herzegovina Bosnia and Herzegovina 2003–2006
Amar Osim Bosnia and Herzegovina Bosnia and Herzegovina 2006–2007
Josip Kuže Croatia Croatia 2008
Shigeo Sawairi (interim) Japan Japan 2008
Alex Miller Scotland Scotland 2008–2009
Atsuhiko Ejiri Japan Japan 2009–2010
Dwight Lodeweges Netherlands Netherlands 2011
Sugao Kambe Japan Japan 2011
Takashi Kiyama Japan Japan 2012
Jun Suzuki Japan Japan 2013–2014
Kazuo Saito (interim) Japan Japan 2014
Takashi Sekizuka Japan Japan 2014–2016
Shigetoshi Hasebe (interim) Japan Japan 2016
Juan Esnáider Argentina Argentina 2017–2019
Atsuhiko Ejiri Japan Japan 2019
Yoon Jong-hwan South Korea South Korea 2020–2022
Yoshiyuki Kobayashi Japan Japan 2023–

Team Colors and Kits

The main colors for JEF United Chiba are yellow, green, and red.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: JEF United Ichihara Chiba para niños

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