The J1 League, also known as the J.League or the Meiji Yasuda J1 League for sponsorship reasons, is the top level of the Japan Professional Football League system. Founded in 1992, it is one of the most successful leagues in Asian professional club football history. Contested by 20 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the J2 League. It was known as the J.League from 1993 to 1998 before becoming a two-division league, and as J.League Division 1 from 1999 to 2014.
The Japan Professional Football League, a.k.a “J.League”, and officially a.k.a “Meiji Yasuda J.League” for sponsorship with Meiji Yasuda Life, is the men's association football league in Japan. It is responsible for organizing Japan's major professional football tournaments, including the J1, J2 and J3 leagues. Established in 1993 as Asia's first professional football league, it has been one of the most successful leagues in Asia followed by the Saudi's Pro League. In 1999, the J2 League was established, followed by the J3 League in 2013.
Hiroki Mizumoto is a former Japanese football player who plays as a centre back.
Shusaku Nishikawa is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Urawa Red Diamonds.
Shinzo Koroki is a Japanese footballer who plays as a striker for J1 League club Urawa Red Diamonds. He has played for the Japan national team.
Shūichi Gonda is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Shimizu S-Pulse. He also represented the Japan national team at the 2014 and 2022 FIFA World cup.
Tomoaki Makino is a former Japanese professional footballer who plays as a centre back. He has represented the Japan national team internationally until 2019. He currently manager of Top team Kanagawa amateur club, Shinagawa CC from 2024.
Kim Jin-hyeon is a South Korean professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Cerezo Osaka.
The J2 League or simply J2 is the second division of the Japan Professional Football League and the second level of the Japanese association football league system. The top tier is represented by the J1 League. It is currently sponsored by Meiji Yasuda Life and it is thus officially known as the Meiji Yasuda J2 League. Until the 2014 season it was named the J.League Division 2.
Michael James Fitzgerald is a professional footballer who represented New Zealand at international level, before gaining Japanese citizenship in 2013 and plays club football for Albirex Niigata.
Jung Woo-young is a South Korean professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder or a centre-back for Saudi Professional League club Al-Khaleej and the South Korea national team. He was part of the South Korean Olympic team that won bronze at the 2012 Summer Olympics.
Ryota Oshima is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Kawasaki Frontale.
Yuji Takahashi is a Japanese footballer who plays as a centre back for J2 League club Shimizu S-Pulse.
Takuya Iwanami is a Japanese football player. He plays for Urawa Red Diamonds.
J3 League or simply J3 is the third division of Japan Professional Football League. It was established in 2013 as the third-tier professional association football league in Japan under the organization of J.League. The league is known as the Meiji Yasuda J3 League for their title sponsor.
Koji Miyoshi is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder or winger for EFL Championship club Birmingham City and the Japan national team.
Ko Itakura is a Japanese footballer who plays as centre-back or defensive midfielder for Bundesliga club Borussia Mönchengladbach and the Japan national team.
Takefusa Kubo, commonly known as Take Kubo, is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a right winger for La Liga club Real Sociedad and the Japan national team. He is dubbed "Japanese Messi" by Japanese football fans because of his potential and technique.
Tatsuya Hasegawa is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for J2 League club Tokyo Verdy, on loan from Yokohama FC.
Yoichi Naganuma is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a winger for J1 League club Sagan Tosu.