Japan - J1 League

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The J1 League is the top-tier category in Japanese football. It is regarded by many as one of the most successful leagues in Asia. The league had its inaugural season in 1993, with ten teams playing for the title. To this day, 18 teams play every season in a relegation-promotion format that has changed throughout the years.

The league is usually played from February to December, in order to avoid the harsh weather conditions in this country. Added to a hefty cash bonus and the trophy, the winner of the J1 League enters the group stage of the AFC Champions League, with the runner-up and the 3rd placed team joining them. The fourth place of each tournament enters the preliminary round of the AFC CL. On the other side of the table, three clubs are promoted from the J2 League, with three clubs being relegated from the Japanese top flight.

During the 2017 season, Kawasaki Frontale won its first-ever J1 League title after beating Kashima Antlers thanks to their better goal difference. The three teams relegated to the J2 League were: Ventforet Kofu, Albirex Niigata, and Omiya Ardija. Their spots in the J1 League were handed to Shonan Bellmare, Nagoya Grampus, and V-Varen Nagasaki.

The 2018 J1 League season kicked off on February 23. The last game of the season will be played on December 1st.

Did you know? Kashima Antlers is the most successful team in the history of the Japanese top flight, with eight titles to their name.