2011–12 Top League Challenge Series
The 2011–12 Top League Challenge Series was the 2011–12 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 2012–13 season. The competition was contested from 25 December 2011 to 11 February 2012. Canon Eagles and Kyuden Voltex won promotion to the 2012–13 Top League, while Kubota Spears 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 2012–13 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 2011 regional leagues. Top West League. The final standings for the 2011 Top West League were:<ref name="West Regional Top League 2011/12"></ref> Top East League. The final  standings for the 2011 Top East League were:<ref name="East Regional Top League 2011/12"></ref> Top Kyūshū League. The final standings for the 2011 Top Kyūshū League were:<ref name="Kyushu Regional Top League 2011/12"></ref> Challenge 1. Standings. The final standings for the 2011–12 Top League Challenge 1 were:<ref name="Top League Challenge 2011/12"></ref> Matches. The following matches were played in the 2011–12 Top League Challenge 1: Challenge 2. Standings. The final standings for the 2011–12 Top League Challenge 2 were: Matches. The following matches were played in the 2011–12 Top League Challenge 2: