Japanese Regional Leagues facts for kids
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| Founded | 1966 (Kansai and Tokai) 1967 (Kanto) 1973 (Chugoku and Kyushu) 1975 (Hokushin'etsu) 1977 (Shikoku and Tohoku) 1978 (Hokkaido) |
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| Country | Japan |
| Confederation | AFC (Asia) |
| Divisions | 5 (first level) 6 (second level) |
| Number of teams | 134 |
| Level on pyramid | 5–6 |
| Promotion to | Japan Soccer League (1966–1991) Japan Football League (1992–1998) Japan Football League (1999–present) |
| Relegation to | Japanese Prefectural Leagues |
| Domestic cup(s) | Emperor's Cup Shakaijin Cup |
Japanese Regional Leagues (Japanese: 地域リーグ, Hepburn: Chiiki Rīgu) are a group of parallel association football leagues in Japan. They are organized based on different regions across the country. These leagues form the fifth and sixth levels of the Japanese association football league system, sitting below the nationwide Japan Football League.
What are the Japanese Regional Football Leagues?
The Japanese Regional Leagues are like a big network of football competitions. They help teams from different parts of Japan compete and try to move up to higher leagues. Think of them as important stepping stones for football clubs in Japan.
How Japanese Football is Organized
Japan is divided into nine main football regions. Each region has its own league or set of leagues. This helps local teams play against each other without traveling too far.
At the end of each year, the champions from these regional leagues get a chance to play in a special tournament. This tournament is called the Japan Regional Football Champions League. It's a big opportunity for teams to show their skills. Sometimes, even the second-place teams can join, depending on certain rules.
Cup Competitions for Regional Teams
Teams in the Regional Leagues also get to play in exciting cup competitions:
- The All Japan Senior Football Championship is a knockout tournament. The winner of this cup also gets a spot in the Regional League promotion series.
- The Emperor's Cup is another major cup. To play in this cup, regional league clubs must first win a qualifying cup in their local area.
Because these leagues usually have fewer than 10 teams, the season is shorter. This allows for longer breaks during the summer.
The Nine Regional Leagues
There are nine main regional leagues in Japan. Each league has its own teams and divisions. Here's a quick look at them:
Hokkaido Soccer League
This league covers the northern island of Hokkaido. It has one division with eight teams. Teams like BTOP Hokkaido and Hokkaido Tokachi Sky Earth play here.
Tohoku Member-of-Society Soccer League
The Tohoku region is in the northeast of Japan. This league has two divisions: Division 1 and Division 2 (North and South). Many teams compete to move up or stay in their division.
Kantō Soccer League
The Kanto region is home to Tokyo and many other big cities. This is a very competitive league with two divisions. Teams like Vonds Ichihara and Tokyo 23 FC are part of this league.
Hokushinetsu Football League
This league covers the Hokuriku and Shin'etsu areas. It also has two divisions. Teams from prefectures like Niigata, Nagano, Toyama, Ishikawa, and Fukui play here.
Tōkai Adult Soccer League
The Tokai region is in central Japan. This league has two divisions. Clubs from Shizuoka, Aichi, Gifu, and Mie prefectures compete here.
Kansai Soccer League
The Kansai region includes major cities like Osaka and Kyoto. This league is also divided into two divisions. Teams from Shiga, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyogo, Nara, and Wakayama play in this league.
Chūgoku Soccer League
This league covers the Chugoku region in western Japan. It has one division with ten teams. Teams from Tottori, Shimane, Okayama, Hiroshima, and Yamaguchi prefectures are part of it.
Shikoku Soccer League
The Shikoku island has its own league. It has one division with eight teams. Clubs from Kagawa, Tokushima, Ehime, and Kochi prefectures play here.
Kyushu Soccer League
The Kyushu island in the southwest has its own league. It has one division with eleven teams. Teams from Fukuoka, Saga, Oita, Miyazaki, Kagoshima, and Okinawa prefectures compete in this league.
These regional leagues are important for Japanese football. They provide a place for many teams to play and develop, hoping to one day reach the top professional leagues.
See also
- Sport in Japan
- Football in Japan
- Women's football in Japan
- Football in Japan
- Japan Football Association (JFA)
