Japan Regional League live score
| # | Team | P | PTS | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Honda FC | 30 | 60 | WWWL |
| 2 |  Reilac Shiga FC | 30 | 56 | DDDL |
| 3 |  Briobecca Urayasu | 30 | 52 | DWDW |
| 4 |  FC Tiamo Hirakata | 30 | 50 | WWWW |
| 5 |  ReinMeer Aomori FC | 30 | 50 | WWLL |
| 6 |  Verspah Oita | 30 | 49 | LLWW |
| 7 |  Veertien Mie | 30 | 45 | WDWW |
| 8 |  Okinawa SV | 30 | 43 | LLLL |
| 9 |  Iwate Grulla Morioka | 30 | 39 | DWLW |
| 10 |  MinebeaMitsumi FC | 30 | 34 | LWLL |
| 11 |  FC Maruyasu Okazaki | 30 | 34 | LDDW |
| 12 | Criacao Shinjuku | 30 | 33 | DDWL |
| 13 |  Yokohama SCC | 30 | 30 | LLWL |
| 14 |  Tokyo Musashino United FC | 30 | 29 | WLLW |
| 15 | Atletico Suzuka Club | 30 | 28 | LLLD |
| 16 | Asuka FC | 30 | 24 | LDWD |
| # | Team | P | DIFF | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Honda FC | 30 | +23 | 60 |
| 2 | Reilac Shiga FC | 30 | +12 | 56 |
| 3 | Briobecca Urayasu | 30 | +10 | 52 |
| 4 | FC Tiamo Hirakata | 30 | +16 | 50 |
| 5 | ReinMeer Aomori FC | 30 | +7 | 50 |
| 6 | Verspah Oita | 30 | +8 | 49 |
| 7 | Veertien Mie | 30 | +13 | 45 |
| 8 | Okinawa SV | 30 | -2 | 43 |
| 9 | Iwate Grulla Morioka | 30 | -4 | 39 |
| 10 | MinebeaMitsumi FC | 30 | -1 | 34 |
| 11 | FC Maruyasu Okazaki | 30 | -9 | 34 |
| 12 | Criacao Shinjuku | 30 | -5 | 33 |
| 13 | Yokohama SCC | 30 | -21 | 30 |
| 14 | Tokyo Musashino United FC | 30 | -20 | 29 |
| 15 | Atletico Suzuka Club | 30 | -16 | 28 |
| 16 | Asuka FC | 30 | -11 | 24 |
Japan Regional Leagues
Japan Regional Leagues (地域リーグ, Chiiki Rīgu) constitute the fifth and sixth tier of the Japanese football league system, comprising nine parallel regional competitions organized across the country's distinct geographical regions. Positioned below the nationwide Japan Football League (JFL) and above 47 prefectural leagues, these regional competitions feature over 140 clubs spanning Hokkaido to Kyushu. The leagues operate independently under designated regional football associations, providing the primary pathway for amateur and semi-professional clubs to progress toward Japan's professional J.League structure through annual promotion competitions.
Understanding Japan's Regional League System
Parallel Structure
Unlike traditional pyramid systems where teams compete in a single national league, Japan's Regional Leagues operate as nine independent competitions running simultaneously. Each region governs its own league format, promotion and relegation rules, and competition calendar. This decentralized structure reflects Japan's geographical and administrative divisions, allowing regional football associations autonomy in managing local competitions.
Development Purpose
Regional Leagues serve as the foundation of Japanese amateur football, bridging prefectural competitions and the semi-professional JFL. Clubs range from company-sponsored teams (employees playing for corporations) to community-based organizations and aspiring professional clubs building infrastructure to eventually join the J.League. The system has produced multiple J1 League clubs, most notably Júbilo Iwata, who progressed through regional football to become Japanese champions.
The Nine Regional Leagues
| Region | Geographical Area | Divisions |
|---|---|---|
| Hokkaido Soccer League | Hokkaido Prefecture (Northernmost Japan) | 1 Division |
| Tohoku Soccer League | Northeast Japan (6 Prefectures) | 2 Divisions* |
| Kanto Soccer League | Greater Tokyo Region (7 Prefectures) | 2 Divisions |
| Hokushinetsu Football League | Central Mountain Region (4 Prefectures) | 2 Divisions |
| Tokai Soccer League | Pacific Coast Region (4 Prefectures) | 2 Divisions |
| Kansai Football League | Osaka-Kyoto Region (6 Prefectures) | 2 Divisions |
| Chugoku Soccer League | Western Honshu (5 Prefectures) | 1 Division |
| Shikoku Soccer League | Shikoku Island (4 Prefectures) | 1 Division |
| Kyushu Soccer League | Southern Japan (8 Prefectures) | 1 Division |
Note: *Tohoku Division 2 is further subdivided into North and South sections. Team numbers and divisional structures may vary by region based on participation levels and regional football association policies.
Promotion System & Competition Format
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Regional Champions League
Nine regional champions qualify for the Japanese Regional Football Champions League, a nationwide tournament held annually in November-December. The winner earns direct promotion to JFL.
Promotion Pathway
Tournament runner-up contests a promotion/relegation playoff against JFL's 15th-placed team. Additional qualification places available through All Japan Senior Football Championship (Shakaijin Cup) performance.
Season Structure
Seasons typically run April through November, with shorter schedules than professional leagues. Regional variations exist; most employ round-robin formats with promotion/relegation between divisions and prefectural leagues.
Club Composition
Teams include company-sponsored clubs (corporate employees), community organizations, and ambitious amateur sides targeting eventual J.League status. Most clubs maintain semi-professional or amateur player registration.
Role in Japanese Football Development
Japan's Regional Leagues were established in the 1970s alongside the Japan Soccer League (JSL), predating the professional J.League by two decades. When Japan professionalized its football structure in 1992-1993, the regional system remained as the foundation of amateur competition, governed by the Japan Football Association (JFA) rather than the professional J.League organization. This separation, formalized in 2014, preserved regional football's distinct identity while maintaining promotion pathways to professional tiers.
The most celebrated success story remains Júbilo Iwata (originally Yamaha Motors), who progressed through the regional system to win the Regional Champions League, advanced to the JSL, and eventually captured the J1 League championship. This trajectory demonstrates the viability of the regional pathway, inspiring numerous clubs currently competing at this level with aspirations of professional status. Consadole Sapporo represents Hokkaido, though notably they entered the J.League after relocating from the Kanto region rather than promoting from Hokkaido's regional league.
Beyond club development, Regional Leagues sustain community engagement with football across Japan's diverse geography. Company teams maintain corporate football traditions dating to post-war industrial expansion, while community clubs foster local identity and grassroots participation. The system's longevity—surviving economic fluctuations, the J.League's launch, and recent debates about amateur football's future—confirms its essential role in Japanese football infrastructure, providing competitive opportunities for hundreds of clubs unable or unwilling to pursue full professionalization.
Japan Regional Leagues - Key Questions
How do Regional League clubs reach the J.League?
Clubs must first win their regional league to qualify for the Regional Champions League. Winning this tournament earns promotion to the Japan Football League (JFL), the fourth tier. From JFL, clubs finishing top two with proper licensing can be promoted to J3 League, beginning the three-tier J.League structure (J3, J2, J1). The entire pathway from Regional League to J1 typically requires multiple years and significant infrastructure investment.
Why are there nine separate leagues instead of one national competition?
Japan's geography—stretching from Hokkaido in the north to Kyushu in the south—makes nationwide amateur competition logistically challenging and financially prohibitive. Regional leagues reduce travel costs, allow local football associations administrative autonomy, and reflect historical administrative divisions. This structure has existed since the 1970s and remains practical for amateur clubs lacking professional resources.
What types of clubs compete in Regional Leagues?
Three primary club categories exist: company-sponsored teams where employees play for their corporation (a Japanese football tradition); community-based clubs representing towns or cities; and aspiring professional clubs systematically building infrastructure, support, and licensing requirements to eventually join the J.League. Most players maintain amateur or semi-professional status, often holding employment outside football.
Can Regional League clubs participate in the Emperor's Cup?
Yes. Regional League clubs must first win their prefectural cup competition to qualify for the Emperor's Cup, Japan's national knockout tournament. Successful prefectural cup winners then enter the Emperor's Cup qualifying rounds. Additionally, Regional League clubs compete in the All Japan Senior Football Championship (Shakaijin Cup), a separate national tournament for non-J.League clubs.
| # | Team | P | DIFF | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Honda FC | 30 | +23 | 60 |
| 2 | Reilac Shiga FC | 30 | +12 | 56 |
| 3 | Briobecca Urayasu | 30 | +10 | 52 |
| 4 | FC Tiamo Hirakata | 30 | +16 | 50 |
| 5 | ReinMeer Aomori FC | 30 | +7 | 50 |
| 6 | Verspah Oita | 30 | +8 | 49 |
| 7 | Veertien Mie | 30 | +13 | 45 |
| 8 | Okinawa SV | 30 | -2 | 43 |
| 9 | Iwate Grulla Morioka | 30 | -4 | 39 |
| 10 | MinebeaMitsumi FC | 30 | -1 | 34 |
| 11 | FC Maruyasu Okazaki | 30 | -9 | 34 |
| 12 | Criacao Shinjuku | 30 | -5 | 33 |
| 13 | Yokohama SCC | 30 | -21 | 30 |
| 14 | Tokyo Musashino United FC | 30 | -20 | 29 |
| 15 | Atletico Suzuka Club | 30 | -16 | 28 |
| 16 | Asuka FC | 30 | -11 | 24 |
Japan Regional Leagues
Japan Regional Leagues (地域リーグ, Chiiki Rīgu) constitute the fifth and sixth tier of the Japanese football league system, comprising nine parallel regional competitions organized across the country's distinct geographical regions. Positioned below the nationwide Japan Football League (JFL) and above 47 prefectural leagues, these regional competitions feature over 140 clubs spanning Hokkaido to Kyushu. The leagues operate independently under designated regional football associations, providing the primary pathway for amateur and semi-professional clubs to progress toward Japan's professional J.League structure through annual promotion competitions.
Understanding Japan's Regional League System
Parallel Structure
Unlike traditional pyramid systems where teams compete in a single national league, Japan's Regional Leagues operate as nine independent competitions running simultaneously. Each region governs its own league format, promotion and relegation rules, and competition calendar. This decentralized structure reflects Japan's geographical and administrative divisions, allowing regional football associations autonomy in managing local competitions.
Development Purpose
Regional Leagues serve as the foundation of Japanese amateur football, bridging prefectural competitions and the semi-professional JFL. Clubs range from company-sponsored teams (employees playing for corporations) to community-based organizations and aspiring professional clubs building infrastructure to eventually join the J.League. The system has produced multiple J1 League clubs, most notably Júbilo Iwata, who progressed through regional football to become Japanese champions.
The Nine Regional Leagues
| Region | Geographical Area | Divisions |
|---|---|---|
| Hokkaido Soccer League | Hokkaido Prefecture (Northernmost Japan) | 1 Division |
| Tohoku Soccer League | Northeast Japan (6 Prefectures) | 2 Divisions* |
| Kanto Soccer League | Greater Tokyo Region (7 Prefectures) | 2 Divisions |
| Hokushinetsu Football League | Central Mountain Region (4 Prefectures) | 2 Divisions |
| Tokai Soccer League | Pacific Coast Region (4 Prefectures) | 2 Divisions |
| Kansai Football League | Osaka-Kyoto Region (6 Prefectures) | 2 Divisions |
| Chugoku Soccer League | Western Honshu (5 Prefectures) | 1 Division |
| Shikoku Soccer League | Shikoku Island (4 Prefectures) | 1 Division |
| Kyushu Soccer League | Southern Japan (8 Prefectures) | 1 Division |
Note: *Tohoku Division 2 is further subdivided into North and South sections. Team numbers and divisional structures may vary by region based on participation levels and regional football association policies.
Promotion System & Competition Format
Regional Champions League
Nine regional champions qualify for the Japanese Regional Football Champions League, a nationwide tournament held annually in November-December. The winner earns direct promotion to JFL.
Promotion Pathway
Tournament runner-up contests a promotion/relegation playoff against JFL's 15th-placed team. Additional qualification places available through All Japan Senior Football Championship (Shakaijin Cup) performance.
Season Structure
Seasons typically run April through November, with shorter schedules than professional leagues. Regional variations exist; most employ round-robin formats with promotion/relegation between divisions and prefectural leagues.
Club Composition
Teams include company-sponsored clubs (corporate employees), community organizations, and ambitious amateur sides targeting eventual J.League status. Most clubs maintain semi-professional or amateur player registration.
Role in Japanese Football Development
Japan's Regional Leagues were established in the 1970s alongside the Japan Soccer League (JSL), predating the professional J.League by two decades. When Japan professionalized its football structure in 1992-1993, the regional system remained as the foundation of amateur competition, governed by the Japan Football Association (JFA) rather than the professional J.League organization. This separation, formalized in 2014, preserved regional football's distinct identity while maintaining promotion pathways to professional tiers.
The most celebrated success story remains Júbilo Iwata (originally Yamaha Motors), who progressed through the regional system to win the Regional Champions League, advanced to the JSL, and eventually captured the J1 League championship. This trajectory demonstrates the viability of the regional pathway, inspiring numerous clubs currently competing at this level with aspirations of professional status. Consadole Sapporo represents Hokkaido, though notably they entered the J.League after relocating from the Kanto region rather than promoting from Hokkaido's regional league.
Beyond club development, Regional Leagues sustain community engagement with football across Japan's diverse geography. Company teams maintain corporate football traditions dating to post-war industrial expansion, while community clubs foster local identity and grassroots participation. The system's longevity—surviving economic fluctuations, the J.League's launch, and recent debates about amateur football's future—confirms its essential role in Japanese football infrastructure, providing competitive opportunities for hundreds of clubs unable or unwilling to pursue full professionalization.
Japan Regional Leagues - Key Questions
How do Regional League clubs reach the J.League?
Clubs must first win their regional league to qualify for the Regional Champions League. Winning this tournament earns promotion to the Japan Football League (JFL), the fourth tier. From JFL, clubs finishing top two with proper licensing can be promoted to J3 League, beginning the three-tier J.League structure (J3, J2, J1). The entire pathway from Regional League to J1 typically requires multiple years and significant infrastructure investment.
Why are there nine separate leagues instead of one national competition?
Japan's geography—stretching from Hokkaido in the north to Kyushu in the south—makes nationwide amateur competition logistically challenging and financially prohibitive. Regional leagues reduce travel costs, allow local football associations administrative autonomy, and reflect historical administrative divisions. This structure has existed since the 1970s and remains practical for amateur clubs lacking professional resources.
What types of clubs compete in Regional Leagues?
Three primary club categories exist: company-sponsored teams where employees play for their corporation (a Japanese football tradition); community-based clubs representing towns or cities; and aspiring professional clubs systematically building infrastructure, support, and licensing requirements to eventually join the J.League. Most players maintain amateur or semi-professional status, often holding employment outside football.
Can Regional League clubs participate in the Emperor's Cup?
Yes. Regional League clubs must first win their prefectural cup competition to qualify for the Emperor's Cup, Japan's national knockout tournament. Successful prefectural cup winners then enter the Emperor's Cup qualifying rounds. Additionally, Regional League clubs compete in the All Japan Senior Football Championship (Shakaijin Cup), a separate national tournament for non-J.League clubs.