J2 Teams

When the J2 was formed, in 1999, there were just ten teams: Kawasaki Frontale, FC Tokyo, Oita Trinita, Albirex Niigata, Consadole Sapporo, Montedio Yamagata, Sagan Tosu, Vegalta Sendai and Ventforet Kofu. Nine of these had been selected from the JFL, as part of the league's reorganization, and they were joined by Consadole, who lost the promotion/relegation playoff at the end of 1998. Consadole's relegation, plus the dissolution of Yokohama Flugels, reduced the J1 to 16 teams. One team was added in each of the next two years (Mito Hollyhock at the end of 1999 and the reconstituted Yokohama FC in 2000).

For the next few years the league seemed to stabilize as officials took a wait-and-see approach to further expansion. It was not until the end of 2004 that the League introduced a new format for expansion. This new format quickly evolved into what is now referred to as the "Hundred Year Plan", which foresees the J2 eventually expanding to as many as 22 teams, at which point the League will consider the feasibility of creating a "J3". At present, the J2 has reached 18 teams, and will soon switch to what is believed to be its "permanent format", in which each team plays every other team once at home and once away, every season.

The 18 teams shown below will take part in the J.League second division (J2) during the 2009 season. If you click on the icon for each team, the link will take you to a page with detailed information on that team, as well as a team schedule, a player roster, and past historical data.

For information on teams in the J.League first division (J1),Click Here.