List of football clubs in Japan

The List of Japanese football teams is evolving.  The list is changing as the popularity of Japanese Association football (soccer) grows.

J.League
The sport has a long-term expansion program called the "Hundred Year Plan."

The number of teams in J. League Division 1 is stable; however, the list of teams is variable depending on seasonal win-loss statistics.

The number of teams in J. League Division 2 is expanding slowly; and creation of a Division 3 is proposed. 

Division 1
There are 18 Division 1 (J1) teams.  In 2012, the J1 teams are:

Albirex Niigata 
Cerezo Osaka 
Consadole Sapporo
F.C. Tokyo 
Gamba Osaka 
Júbilo Iwata 
Kashima Antlers
Kashiwa Reysol
Kawasaki Frontale; http://www.frontale.co.jp/  Kawasaki Frontale  access-date= 2012-03-09

Nagoya Grampus 
Omiya Ardija
Sagan Tosu
Sanfrecce Hiroshima 
Shimizu S-Pulse 
Urawa Red Diamonds
Vegalta Sendai
 Vissel KobeJ.League,  Vissel Kobe ; Vissel Kobe ; retrieved 2012-3-9. 
Yokohama F. Marinos

Division 2
There are 20+ Division 2 (J2) teams.  In 2012, the J2 teams are: 


Avispa Fukuoka
Ehime F.C.
Fagiano Okayama
F.C. Gifu
F.C. Machida Zelvia
Gainare Tottori
Giravanz Kitakyushu
JEF United Ichihara Chiba
Kataller Toyama
Kyoto Sanga F.C.
Matsumoto Yamaga F.C.

Mito Hollyhock
Montedio Yamagata
Oita Trinita
Roasso Kumamoto
Shonan Bellmare
Thespa Kusatsu
Tochigi S.C.
Tokushima Vortis
Tokyo Verdy
Ventforet Kofu
Yokohama F.C.

Japan Football League
The amateur Japan Football League (JFL) has 17 teams.Soccerway.com, Japan Football League; retrieved 2012-3-2.  In 2012, the JFL teams are:

Blaublitz Akita
Fujieda MYFC
Honda F.C.Honda F.C. ; retrieved 2012-3-2.
Honda Lock S.C.
Hoyo A.C. Elan Oita
Kamatamare Sanuki 
MIO Biwako Kusatsu
AC Nagano Parceiro
F.C. Ryūkyū

Sagawa Printing S.C.
Sagawa Shiga F.C.Sagawa Shiga F.C. ; retrieved 2012-3-2.
Sony Sendai F.C.
Tochigi Uva F.C.
V-Varen Nagasaki 
Yokogawa Musashino F.C.
Yokohama Sports and Culture Club
Zweigen Kanazawa

In 2012, Arte Takasaki was removed from the list of JFL teams.Japan Football League (JFL), アルテ高崎、JFLからの退会について ("Arte Takasaki withdrawal from the JFL"), 13 January 2012; retrieved 2012-3-2.

Related pages 
 Sports in Japan

References

Other websites
  J-League at NHK.or.jp 

Japan
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football