J.LEAGUE DIVISIONS ONE AND TWO

Promotion and Relegation

The J.League implemented a two-division system from fiscal 1999. This move was
in keeping with the J.League's mission of establishing community-based sports
clubs throughout the nation. The two-division system allowed the J.League to
admit more clubs that accepted the J.League's vision within its fold.

The increase in the number of clubs provided more opportunities for players
from across the nation to find a place to play, while the system of promotion
and relega tion between the two divisions enhanced competitiveness, stimulated
the league and improved the level of Japanese play. Besides, the two-division
system positioned Division Two as a stepping stone to Division One, so clubs
were no longer required to invest so heavily in order to become a part of the
J.League.

Distribution of Income to Clubs

The system of distributing J.League income to the clubs was revised from 1999.
Each Division Two club now receives a fixed sum plus a payment for broadcast
and product royalties according to its proper share. Teams relegated to Divi-
sion Two receive the same distribution as Division One teams in the first year,
and half of the distribution made to Division One clubs thereafter.

Distributions to Division One clubs are made from the amount that remains after
distributions have been made to clubs in Division Two.


CONDITIONS OF J1 AND J2 MEMBERSHIP

Incorporation

Each club must be a registered corporation specialising in football. This
condition is stipulated to ensure that each club provides a secure management
base.

Hometowns

Each club must designate a particular locality as its hometown. It must co-
operate in sports activities conducted in the area to grow as a club that
takes part in activities in the community and promotes sports in the region.

Players and Coaching Licenses

First division teams must ha ve a t least 15 players who have concluded the
standard professional contract approved by the Japan Football Association(JFA),
while second division teams must have at least five such players.

Coaches must also possess the appropriate coaching license approved by the JFA.
Managers of top teams must posses the JFA's Grade S license, satellite teams
a Grade B license or higher, and U-18(youth), U-15(junior youth) and U-12
(junior) teams a Grade C license or higher.

Team Structure

Each J1 club must have at least a top, satellite team, an U-18 team, an U-15
team and an U-12 team. Each J2 club must have at least a top satellite team
and an U-18 team. J2 clubs without an U-15 and/or U-12 team must organise
soccer schools and conduct other activities targeting children of these age
groups and organise such teams within three years of joining the J.League.
When a J2 club is promoted to J1, the conditions for J1 clubs will apply even
if the J2 club has held J.League membership for less than three years.

Stadium Facilities

For both J1 and J2 clubs, stadiums must possess an evergreen natural grass
field with, in principle, a size of 105 meters by 68 meters. The stadiums
must also have floodlights of an average 1,500 lux or more. Stadiums for J1
clubs must hold 15,000 spectators or more. Stadiums for J2 clubs must hold
10,000 spectators or more.

Promotion to Division 2

A Division Two club can only be promoted if it satisfies the requirements for
entry to Division One. If only one club is promoted, only the bottom club in
Division One goes down.