2012–13 Top League Challenge Series
The 2012–13 Top League Challenge Series was the 2012–13 edition of the Top League Challenge Series, a second-tier rugby union competition in Japan, in which teams from regionalised leagues competed for promotion to the Top League for the 2013–14 season. The competition was contested from 9 December 2012 to 20 January 2013. Coca-Cola West Red Sparks and Kubota Spears won promotion to the 2013–14 Top League, while Mitsubishi Sagamihara DynaBoars and Toyota Industries Shuttles progressed to the promotion play-offs. Competition rules and information. The top two teams from the regional , and qualified  to the Top League Challenge Series. The regional league winners participated in Challenge 1, while the runners-up participated in Challenge 2. The winner of Challenge 2 also progressed to a four-team Challenge 1. The top two teams in Challenge 1 won automatic promotion to the 2013–14 Top League, while the third and fourth-placed teams qualified to the promotion play-offs. Qualification. The teams qualified to the Challenge 1 and Challenge 2 series through the 2012 regional leagues. Top West League. The final standings for the 2012 Top West League were:<ref name="West Regional Top League 2012/13"></ref> Top  East League. The final standings for the 2012 Top East League were:<ref name="East Regional Top League 2012/13"></ref> Top Kyūshū League. The final standings for the 2012 Top Kyūshū League were:<ref name="Kyushu Regional Top League 2012/13"></ref> Challenge 1. Standings. The final standings for the 2012–13 Top League Challenge 1 were:<ref name="Top League Challenge 2012/13"></ref> Matches. The following matches were played in the 2012–13 Top League Challenge 1: Challenge 2. Standings. The final standings for the 2012–13 Top League Challenge 2 were: Matches. The following matches were played in the 2012–13 Top League Challenge 2: 2012–13 Top League Challenge