| Japanese League (3rd tier) |
|---|
| (former) Japan Football League Division 2 (1992–1993) Japan Football League (1999–present) |
| Country |
| Japan |
| Founded |
| 1992 |
| Number of Teams |
| 18 (2011 season) |
| Current Champions |
| Sagawa Shiga (2011) |
| Most successful club |
| Honda F.C. (5 championships) |
A national third tier of Japanese league football was first established in 1992, as the second division of former Japan Football League, though it only lasted for two seasons. In 1999, following the establishment of J. League Division 2, a new Japan Football League was created, fulfilling the third tier onwards.
All third-tier leagues that existed to date were officially amateur, though due to the presence of J. League associate members in the JFL since 2006 it is de facto semi-professional league, similar to English Football Conference.
Contents |
The old Japan Football League was established together with creation of J. League and was initially a two-level tournament but that lasted only for two inaugural seasons.
| Season | Winner | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|
|
|
Chuo Bohan F.C. | Kyoto Shiko Club |
|
|
Honda Motor | PJM Futures |
With the establishment of J. League Division 2, the new Japan Football League was automatically moved a tier down the pyramid comparing to its discontinued namesake.
Numbers in parentheses indicate number of wins at the date (for two and more). Upwards arrow (↑) indicates promotion to J. League Division 2
Clubs in italic no longer exist.
| Club | Winners | Runners-up | Winning Seasons | Runners-up Seasons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honda F.C. |
|
|
1993, 2001, 2002, 2006, 2008 | 1999, 2000, 2003, 2004 |
| Sagawa Shiga |
|
|
2007, 2009, 2011 | 2010 |
| Tokushima Vortis |
|
|
2003, 2004 | 2001 |
| Yokohama F.C. |
|
|
1999, 2000 | |
| Avispa Fukuoka |
|
|
1992 | |
| Ehime F.C. |
|
|
2005 | |
| Gainare Tottori |
|
|
2010 | |
| Sagawa Express Tokyo |
|
|
2002, 2006 | |
| Kyoto Sanga F.C. |
|
|
1992 | |
| Tosu Futures |
|
|
1993 | |
| YKK AP |
|
|
2005 | |
| Roasso Kumamoto |
|
|
2007 | |
| Tochigi S.C. |
|
|
2008 | |
| Yokogawa Musashino |
|
|
2009 | |
| Nagano Parceiro |
|
|
2011 |
|
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