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Founded | 1 November 1991 |
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First season | 1993 |
Country | Japan |
Confederation | AFC |
Divisions | J1 League J2 League J3 League |
Number of teams | 60 |
Level on pyramid | 1–3 |
Domestic cup(s) | The JFA Emperor's Cup Japanese Super Cup |
League cup(s) | J.League Cup |
International cup(s) | AFC Champions League Elite |
Current champions | J1: Vissel Kobe (1st title) J2: Machida Zelvia (1st title) J3: Ehime FC (1st title) (2023 season) |
Most championships | J1: Kashima Antlers (8 titles) J2: Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo (3 titles) J3: Blaublitz Akita (2 titles) |
TV partners | J1: DAZN J2: DAZN J3: DAZN |
Website | Official website (in English) |
Current: 2024 J1 League; 23 February – 8 December 2024 J2 League; 23 February – 10 November 2024 J3 League; 23 February – 24 November |
The Japan Professional Football League (日本プロサッカーリーグ, Nihon Puro Sakkā Rīgu), commonly a.k.a. shortened to the J.League (Japanese: Jリーグ, Hepburn: Jē Rīgu), and officially known as the Meiji Yasuda J.League (Japanese: 明治安田Jリーグ) 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. Originally founded as a single division, in 1999, the second division J2 League was established, followed by the third division J3 League in 2013.