4. J. League Clubs

There are 18 clubs in J. League 1 and 22 clubs in J. League 2. At the time of J. League opening, there were ten clubs. The club names are Kashima Antlers, JEF United Ichihara, Urawa Red Diamonds, Verdy Kawasaki, Yokohama Marinos, Yokohama Flugels, Shimizu S-Pulse, Nagoya Grampus Eight, Gamba Osaka and Sanfrecce Hiroshima F.C. Those clubs are called the original 10. Now, however, some of the club’s name was changed. Nine clubs survive. Yokohama Flugels united with Yokohama Marinos and the club name became Yokohama F Marinos. Ten teams newly participated in J. League behind. Furthermore, J. League became a two-copy system and ten teams participated. Those ten clubs called the J2 original 10. Nine clubs of them are promoted to J1 now.

It is Kashima Antlers that gained most championships. The number of times is seven. It is surprising number because the number of championship of the team which got most second championship (Yokohama F Marinos and Jubilo Iwata) is three. The number of times of Antlers is more than twice the team of second. Especially, Kashima Antlers won the victory in series for three years from 2007 to 2009. Furthermore, the Kashima Antlers is also the only club which has attained the triple crowns (J. League division1, the J. League cup, the Emperor's Cup all Japan soccer championship) in one season. In addition to this, the Antlers had left much wonderful record, such as the league match highest win streak (16 successive victories). Of course, there are many teams which have left great record not only the Antlers.

And a new big motion is seen now in J. League. It is establishment of J. League division 3. The embodiment of the measure which builds "the club which can aim at J. League" 100 or more all over the country is one of the purposes of J3 establishment.  The number of collection clubs in the degree of J3 inauguration first year (they are 2014 seasons at the fastest) was determined by 12, after discussion at the J. League executive board meeting of holding in July, 2013. 7 teams can accept the affiliation to J3 now, and it is progressing to the establishment of J3 of next year steadily. The promotion demotion system of J2, and J3, J3 and JFL is also introduced. A soccer level of Japan will improve increasingly and game population will increase by this establishment of J3.