Japan Soccer League
Encyclopedia
, or JSL, was the top flight soccer league in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...

 between 1965 and 1992, and was the precursor to the current professional league, the J. League
J. League
The or is the top division of and is the top professional association football league in Japan. It is one of the most successful leagues in Asian club football and the only league given top class 'A' ranking by the AFC. Currently, J. League Division 1 is the first level of the Japanese...

. JSL was the second national league of a team sport in Japan after the professional Japanese Baseball League
Japanese Baseball League
For the current Japanese Professional League, see Nippon Professional Baseball. was a professional baseball league in Japan.It was established on February 5, 1936 as "Japan Occupational Baseball League". Then it was renamed "Japanese Baseball League" in 1939. It was run until 1949. There was no...

 that was founded in 1936. JSL was the first-ever national league of an amateur team sport in Japan.

Each team represented a corporation, and like Japanese baseball teams, went by the name of the company that owned the team. Unlike in baseball, however, promotion and relegation
Promotion and relegation
In many sports leagues around the world, promotion and relegation is a process that takes place at the end of each season. Through it, teams are transferred between divisions based on their performance that season...

 was followed, as J. League follows today. The players were officially amateur and were employees of the parent corporations, but especially in later years, top players were generally paid strictly to play soccer.

Originally the JSL consisted of a single division, but in 1972 a Second Division was added. Clubs could join in by winning the All Japan Senior Football Championship
All Japan Senior Football Championship
The All Japan Senior Football Championship is a football cup competition in Japan. It is run by the Japan Football Association. As it only involves non-league teams The All Japan Senior Football Championship (Zenkoku Shakaijin Sakkā Senshuken Taikai, 全国社会人サッカー選手権大会) is a football (soccer) cup...

 cup competition and then winning a promotion/relegation series against the bottom teams in the JSL. From 1973 to 1980, both the champions and runners-up of the Second Division had to play the promotion/relegation series against the First Division's bottom clubs; afterwards and until 1984, only the runners-up had to play the series.

Top JSL teams included Hitachi Ltd., Furukawa Electric
Furukawa Electric
Furukawa Electric is a Japanese company. It is listed on the Nikkei 225. Its products include superconductivity cables....

, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
, or MHI, is a Japanese company. It is one of the core companies of Mitsubishi Group.-History:In 1870 Yataro Iwasaki, the founder of Mitsubishi took a lease of Government-owned Nagasaki Shipyard. He named it Nagasaki Shipyard & Machinery Works, and started the shipbuilding business on a full scale...

, Nissan Motors
Nissan Motors
, usually shortened to Nissan , is a multinational automaker headquartered in Japan. It was a core member of the Nissan Group, but has become more independent after its restructuring under Carlos Ghosn ....

, Toyo Industries (Mazda
Mazda
is a Japanese automotive manufacturer based in Fuchū, Aki District, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan.In 2007, Mazda produced almost 1.3 million vehicles for global sales...

) and Yomiuri Shimbun
Yomiuri Shimbun
The is a Japanese newspaper published in Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, and other major Japanese cities. It is one of the five national newspapers in Japan; the other four are the Asahi Shimbun, the Mainichi Shimbun, Nihon Keizai Shimbun, and the Sankei Shimbun...

, which are now, respectively, Kashiwa Reysol
Kashiwa Reysol
is a J. League Division 1 team. Its home town is Kashiwa, Chiba, about an hour northeast of Tokyo.-History:Founded in 1940 as Hitachi, Ltd. Soccer Club in Koganei, Tokyo, the team was a founding member of the Japan Soccer League...

, JEF United Ichihara Chiba
JEF United Ichihara Chiba
is a Japanese professional football club that plays in J. League Division 2. On February 1, 2005, the club changed its name from JEF United Ichihara to the current name after Chiba city had joined Ichihara, Chiba as its hometown in 2003. The club name, JEF -taken from JR East and Furukawa Electric-...

, Urawa Red Diamonds
Urawa Red Diamonds
are a professional association football club playing in Japan's football league, J. League Division 1. One of Japan and Asia's best supported teams, the club has been able to boast the highest average crowds for thirteen of the J-League's twenty season history...

, Yokohama F. Marinos
Yokohama F. Marinos
is a Japanese association football team that participates in the fully professional J. League Division 1; the top Japanese professional football league. Having won the J-League title three times and finished second twice, they are one of the most successful J-League clubs. The team are based in...

, Sanfrecce Hiroshima
Sanfrecce Hiroshima
is a Japanese association football club in the J. League Division 1.-Club name:The club name is a portmanteau of the Japanese numeral for three, San and an Italian word frecce or 'arrows'...

 and Tokyo Verdy. Furukawa/JEF United was the only one never to be relegated to the Second Division and kept this distinction until 2009.

In 1991, club owners met and agreed to disband the league, and reorganize as the professional J. League. JSL played its final season in 1991/92 and the J. League began play in 1993. Top nine JSL clubs, (along with the independent Shimizu S-Pulse
Shimizu S-Pulse
is a professional Japanese association football club. Located in Shimizu-ku, Shizuoka, Shizuoka Prefecture, S-Pulse currently competes in the J. League Division 1 . Formed as recently as 1991, S-Pulse are one of the youngest professional teams in Japan, but are among only five to have competed in...

) became the original J. League members. The others except Yomiuri Junior who merged with their parent club Yomiuri Club
Tokyo Verdy 1969
, is a Japanese professional football club, based in Tokyo, Japan, that plays in J. League Division 2.Founded as Yomiuri F.C. in 1969, Tokyo Verdy is one of the most decorated teams in the J. League, with honours including 7 league titles , 5 Emperor's Cups, 6 JSL Cup / J...

 joined the newly formed Japan Football League.

All-time JSL member clubs

Current J. League
J. League
The or is the top division of and is the top professional association football league in Japan. It is one of the most successful leagues in Asian club football and the only league given top class 'A' ranking by the AFC. Currently, J. League Division 1 is the first level of the Japanese...

 identity and/or standing in the Japanese football league system
Japanese football league system
The Japanese association football league system is organized in a pyramidal shape similar to football league systems in many other countries around the world...

 follows each name.

Original 8 Clubs

  • Furukawa Electric
    Furukawa Electric
    Furukawa Electric is a Japanese company. It is listed on the Nikkei 225. Its products include superconductivity cables....

     (1965-1992) - JEF United Ichihara Chiba
    JEF United Ichihara Chiba
    is a Japanese professional football club that plays in J. League Division 2. On February 1, 2005, the club changed its name from JEF United Ichihara to the current name after Chiba city had joined Ichihara, Chiba as its hometown in 2003. The club name, JEF -taken from JR East and Furukawa Electric-...

  • Hitachi Head Office / Hitachi
    Hitachi, Ltd.
    is a Japanese multinational conglomerate headquartered in Marunouchi 1-chome, Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan. The company is the parent of the Hitachi Group as part of the larger DKB Group companies...

     (1965-1992) - Kashiwa Reysol
    Kashiwa Reysol
    is a J. League Division 1 team. Its home town is Kashiwa, Chiba, about an hour northeast of Tokyo.-History:Founded in 1940 as Hitachi, Ltd. Soccer Club in Koganei, Tokyo, the team was a founding member of the Japan Soccer League...

  • Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
    Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
    , or MHI, is a Japanese company. It is one of the core companies of Mitsubishi Group.-History:In 1870 Yataro Iwasaki, the founder of Mitsubishi took a lease of Government-owned Nagasaki Shipyard. He named it Nagasaki Shipyard & Machinery Works, and started the shipbuilding business on a full scale...

     / Mitsubishi Motors
    Mitsubishi Motors
    is a multinational automaker headquartered in Minato, Tokyo. In 2009 it was the fifth-largest Japan-based automaker and the 17th-largest in the world measured by production...

     (1965-1992) - Urawa Red Diamonds
    Urawa Red Diamonds
    are a professional association football club playing in Japan's football league, J. League Division 1. One of Japan and Asia's best supported teams, the club has been able to boast the highest average crowds for thirteen of the J-League's twenty season history...

  • Toyoda Automatic Loom Works
    Toyota Industries
    Toyota Industries Corporation is a Japanese machine maker. Originally a manufacturer of automatic looms, it is the company from which Toyota Motor Corporation developed.-History:...

     (1965-1968, 1972-1973) - in Aichi Prefecture Div. 1
  • Nagoya Sogo Ginko (Mutual Bank)(1965-1966, 1968-1971) - Nagoya WEST.F.C. in Aichi Prefecture Div. 1
  • Yanmar Diesel
    Yanmar
    is a Japanese diesel engine manufacturer with more than 90 years of history. The engines are used in a wide range of applications, including seagoing vessels, construction equipment, agricultural equipment and generator sets.-Company description:...

     (1965-1992) - Cerezo Osaka
    Cerezo Osaka
    is a J. League Division 1 association football team. The team name Cerezo means cherry tree in Spanish, which is also the flower of Ōsaka city....

  • Toyo Industries / Mazda
    Mazda
    is a Japanese automotive manufacturer based in Fuchū, Aki District, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan.In 2007, Mazda produced almost 1.3 million vehicles for global sales...

     (1965-1992) - Sanfrecce Hiroshima
    Sanfrecce Hiroshima
    is a Japanese association football club in the J. League Division 1.-Club name:The club name is a portmanteau of the Japanese numeral for three, San and an Italian word frecce or 'arrows'...

  • Yawata Steel F.C. / Nippon Steel
    Nippon Steel
    , also referred to as , was formed in 1970. Nippon Steel Corporation is the world's 4th largest steel producer by volume.-Early years:Nippon Steel was created by the merger of two giants, Yawata Iron & Steel and Fuji Iron & Steel...

     (1965-1991) - defunct

Other First Division Clubs

In order of their promotion to First Division.
  • Nippon Kokan (Nippon Steel Piping) / NKK F.C.
    NKK F.C.
    Nippon Kokan Soccer Club, or NKK Soccer Club was a Japanese football club which operated from 1912 to 1994. It played in the old Japan Soccer League since 1967 until its closing...

     (1967-1992)- defunct
  • Towa Real Estate / Fujita
    Fujita
    Fujita is a common family name in Japan. It may also refer to the following.*Atsushi Fujita , a Japanese long-distance runner*Emi Fujita , a Japanese singer*Fujita zaibatsu, a Japanese Osaka-based zaibatsu...

     Industry / Fujita (1972-1992) - Shonan Bellmare
    Shonan Bellmare
    are a Japanese professional football club, currently playing in the J. League Division 2. The team is located in Hiratsuka, in the west of Kanagawa Prefecture; their home stadium is Hiratsuka Athletics Stadium in Hiratsuka. The name Bellmare is derived from the Latin "bellum" for "war" and "mare"...

  • Toyota Motor Industry / Toyota Motor
    Toyota Motor Corporation
    , , , commonly known simply as Toyota and abbreviated as TMC, is a multinational automaker headquartered in Toyota, Aichi, Japan. In 2010, Toyota Motor Corporation employed 317,734 people worldwide, and was the world's largest automobile manufacturer by production.The company was founded by...

     (1972-1992) - Nagoya Grampus
    Nagoya Grampus
    are a Japanese association football club that play in the J. League. Based in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture and originally founded as the company team of the Toyota Motor Corp...

  • Tanabe Seiyaku (Pharmaceutical) (1972-1992) - Osaka City League Div. 4
  • Eidai Sangyo (Industries) (1972-1977) - defunct
  • Fujitsu
    Fujitsu
    is a Japanese multinational information technology equipment and services company headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. It is the world's third-largest IT services provider measured by revenues....

     (1972-1992) - Kawasaki Frontale
    Kawasaki Frontale
    is a J. League Division 1 association football club. The team is located in Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture, south of Tokyo. Their home stadium is Todoroki Athletics Stadium, in Nakahara Ward, in the central area of Kawasaki.-History:...

  • Yomiuri
    Yomiuri Shimbun
    The is a Japanese newspaper published in Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, and other major Japanese cities. It is one of the five national newspapers in Japan; the other four are the Asahi Shimbun, the Mainichi Shimbun, Nihon Keizai Shimbun, and the Sankei Shimbun...

     (1972-1992) - Tokyo Verdy
  • Nissan Motors
    Nissan Motors
    , usually shortened to Nissan , is a multinational automaker headquartered in Japan. It was a core member of the Nissan Group, but has become more independent after its restructuring under Carlos Ghosn ....

     (1976-1992) - Yokohama F. Marinos
    Yokohama F. Marinos
    is a Japanese association football team that participates in the fully professional J. League Division 1; the top Japanese professional football league. Having won the J-League title three times and finished second twice, they are one of the most successful J-League clubs. The team are based in...

  • Yamaha Motor (1979-1992) - Júbilo Iwata
    Júbilo Iwata
    is a professional Japanese association football team currently playing in the J. League Division 1 . The team name Júbilo means 'joy' in Portuguese and Spanish. The team's home town is Iwata, Shizuoka prefecture and they play at Yamaha Stadium...

  • Honda
    Honda
    is a Japanese public multinational corporation primarily known as a manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles.Honda has been the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959, as well as the world's largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines measured by volume, producing more than...

     (1975-1992) - Honda F.C.
    Honda F.C.
    are a Japanese football club based in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture. They play in the Japan Football League.-History:The club was founded as in 1971. They were promoted to the Japan Soccer League Division 2 in 1975 and to the JSL Division 1 in 1981; the closest they came to the title was in...

     in JFL
  • Sumitomo Metal Industries
    Sumitomo Metal Industries
    is a company with seat in Osaka, Japan. )It is the third largest integrated steel manufacturer in Japan withthree integrated steelworks and several other manufacturing plants.It is one of the largest manufacturers of Seamless Pipes and Tubes,...

     (1973-1992) - Kashima Antlers
    Kashima Antlers
    are a Japanese professional association football club playing in the J. League Division 1. Antlers is derived from the city name, Kashima, which literally means "deer island"....

  • Yokohama Tristar / ANA
    All Nippon Airways
    , also known as or ANA, is one of the largest airlines in Japan. It is headquartered at the Shiodome City Center in the Shiodome area in Minato, Tokyo, Japan. It operates services to 49 destinations in Japan and 35 international routes and employed over 14,000 employees as of May 2009...

     (1983-1992) - Yokohama Flügels
    Yokohama Flügels
    was a Japanese football club that played in the J. League between 1993 and 1998. In 1999 the club was officially merged with local rivals Yokohama Marinos and the two teams became known together as Yokohama F. Marinos.- History :...

    , defunct
  • Matsushita Electric Industrial
    Matsushita Electric Industrial Co.
    , formerly known as , is a Japanese multinational consumer electronics corporation headquartered in Kadoma, Osaka, Japan. Its main business is in electronics manufacturing....

     (1984-1992) - Gamba Osaka
    Gamba Osaka
    is a Japanese professional association football club, currently playing in the J. League Division 1. The team's name comes from the Italian word "gamba" meaning "leg" and the Japanese , meaning "to do your best" or "to stand firm". Located in Suita, Osaka, the team's home stadium is Osaka Expo '70...

  • Toshiba Horikawacho / Toshiba
    Toshiba
    is a multinational electronics and electrical equipment corporation headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. It is a diversified manufacturer and marketer of electrical products, spanning information & communications equipment and systems, Internet-based solutions and services, electronic components and...

     (1978-1992) - Consadole Sapporo
    Consadole Sapporo
    is a Japanese professional football club, currently playing in the J. League Division 2. The team is located in Sapporo, on the island of Hokkaidō....


Famous Second Division Clubs

Many of these clubs would only be promoted to the top flight after the J. League was created.
  • Kofu Club (1972-1992) - Ventforet Kofu
    Ventforet Kofu
    are a Japanese football club from Kofu. They compete in the J. League Division 1, and their home ground is the Kose Sports Stadium.The word "Ventforet" is coined combining two French words Vent and Forêt...

  • Kyoto Shiko Club (1972-1978, 1988-1992) - Kyoto Purple Sanga
    Kyoto Purple Sanga
    is a Japanese professional football club based in Kyoto. The word "Sanga" is a Sanskrit term meaning "group" or "club", often used to denote Buddhist congregations. This reflects Kyoto's tradition of Buddhist temples...

     - Kyoto Sanga FC (since 2007)
    (splinter Kyoto Shiko Club formed 1993 now competes in Kansai Div. 2)
  • Kawasaki
    Kawasaki Heavy Industries
    is an international corporation based in Japan. It has headquarters in both Chūō-ku, Kobe and Minato, Tokyo.The company is named after its founder Shōzō Kawasaki and has no connection with the city of Kawasaki, Kanagawa....

     Steel (1986-1992) - Vissel Kobe
    Vissel Kobe
    is a Japanese professional football club, currently playing in the J. League Division 1. The team is located in Kobe, Hyōgo Prefecture. The home stadium is Kobe Wing Stadium, in Hyōgo-ku, though some home matches are played at Kobe Universiade Memorial Stadium in Suma-ku.-History:The club was...

  • NTT
    Nippon Telegraph and Telephone
    , commonly known as NTT, is a Japanese telecommunications company headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. Ranked the 31st in Fortune Global 500, NTT is the largest telecommunications company in Asia, and the second-largest in the world in terms of revenue....

     Kanto (1987-1992) - Omiya Ardija
    Omiya Ardija
    is a professional football club which play in the J. League Division 1, and are based in Ōmiya-ku in Saitama, Japan. Its "hometown" as designated by the league is the whole of Saitama city, which is shared with neighbours Urawa Red Diamonds...

  • Otsuka Pharmaceutical
    Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co.
    , abbreviated OPC, is a pharmaceutical company headquartered in Tokyo, Osaka and Naruto, Japan. The company was established August 10, 1964, and currently has approximately 27,000 employees worldwide. The company focuses on pharmaceuticals related to nutrition...

     (1990-1992) - Tokushima Vortis
    Tokushima VORTIS
    is a Japanese professional football club, currently playing in the J. League Division 2. The team is located in Tokushima, Tokushima Prefecture...

  • Tokyo Gas (1992-1992) - F.C. Tokyo
  • Chūō Bohan (Central Crime Prevention)(1992-1992) - Avispa Fukuoka
    Avispa Fukuoka
    For the record label, see Avispa. is a Japanese professional football club, currently playing in the J. League Division 1 having been promoted from J. League Division 2 in the 2010 season. The team is located in Hakata, Fukuoka. "Avispa" means "wasp" in Spanish.-In Fujieda:The club was founded as...

  • TDK
    TDK
    , formerly , is a Japanese company which manufactures electronic materials, electronic components, and recording and data-storage media, and markets them globally. Their motto is "Contribute to culture and industry through creativity"...

     (1985-1987) - Blaublitz Akita in JFL
    Japan Football League
    The is the 3rd tier of the Japanese association football league system, following J. League Division 1 and J. League Division 2. Also known as the JFL, it is generally considered as the top amateur league in Japan although in reality it is a semi-professional league as many full-time footballers...


External links

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