Japanese Regional Leagues
| Country |  Japan |
|---|---|
| Confederation | AFC |
| Founded | 1966 (Kansai and Tokai) 1967 (Kanto) 1973 (Chugoku and Kyushu) 1975 (Hokushin'etsu) 1977 (Shikoku and Tohoku) 1978 (Hokkaido) |
| Divisions | 9 (first level) 6 (second level) |
| Number of teams | 134 |
| Level on pyramid | 5–6 |
| Promotion to | Japan Football League (1999-present) Japan Football League (1992-1998) Japan Soccer League (1966-1991) |
| Relegation to | Prefectural Leagues |
| Domestic cup(s) | Emperor's Cup Shakaijin Cup |
 2013 Japanese Regional Leagues |
|
Japanese Regional Leagues (地域リーグ Chiiki Rīgu) are a group of parallel association football leagues in Japan that are organized on the regional basis. They form the fifth tier of the Japanese association football league system below the nationwide Japan Football League.
Overview
Hokkaido Tōhoku Kantō Hokushinetsu Tōkai Kansai Chūgoku Shikoku Kyushu
Hokkaido subdivision boundaries are by Block League.
Japan is divided regionally in a variety of ways, some of them administrative and some more historical. For the football purposes, the country is divided into nine regions. All regional league champions earn the right to participate in the All Japan Regional Football Promotion League Series at the end of the year. Runners-up may also qualify according to criteria set by the Japan Football Association.
Regional league clubs also compete in the All Japan Senior Football Championship, a cup competition. The winner of this cup also earns a berth in the All Japan Promotion Series, and the runner-up may also qualify depending on space and JFA criteria.
Regional league clubs must win the qualifying cup in their home prefecture in order to compete in the Emperor's Cup.
Since the divisions rarely go over 10 members, the season is shorter and long summer breaks may be taken.
Among the existing Japanese clubs there are nine that have never played in the regional leagues. They are:
- Japan Soccer League co-founders Urawa Red Diamonds, JEF United Chiba, Kashiwa Reysol, Cerezo Osaka, Sanfrecce Hiroshima (listed under current names, all formed the old league in 1965);
- Independent club Shimizu S-Pulse, established as a professional club upon J. League creation in 1992;
- Sagan Tosu who took over the folded Tosu Futures in former JFL in 1997;
- Yokohama FC who were directly admitted into the Japan Football League in 1999 upon their formation;
- Kataller Toyama that formed in 2008 as a result of the fusion of JFL clubs ALO's Hokuriku and YKK AP.
Regional Leagues clubs, 2015
Hokkaido Soccer League
Tohoku Member-of-Society Soccer League
Kantō Soccer League
Hokushinetsu Football League
Tōkai Adult League
| Name of league | Division | Names of teams | Hometown |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tōkai Adult Soccer League 東海社会人サッカーリーグ |
Division 1 | F.C. Suzuka Rampole | Suzuka, Mie |
| Fujieda City Hall S.C. | Fujieda, Shizuoka | ||
| Chukyo univ.FC | Nagoya, Aichi | ||
| F.C. Kariya | Kariya, Aichi | ||
| Yazaki Valente | Shimada, Shizuoka | ||
| F.C. Gifu SECOND | Gifu, Gifu | ||
| Tokoha University Hamamatsu F.C. | Hamamatsu, Shizuoka | ||
| Nagara club | Gifu, Gifu | ||
| Division 2 | Nagoya S.C. | Nagoya, Aichi | |
| Toyota Shūkyūdan | Toyota, Aichi | ||
| TSV1973 Yokkaichi | Yokkaichi, Mie | ||
| Toyota Industries S.C. | Kariya, Aichi | ||
| F.C. Kawasaki | Kakamigahara, Gifu | ||
| Kasugai Club | Kasugai, Aichi | ||
| F.C. Ise Shima | Ise, Mie | ||
| Veertien Mie | Kuwana, Mie |
Kansai Soccer League
Chūgoku Soccer League
Shikoku Adult League
| Name of league | Names of teams | Hometown |
|---|---|---|
| Shikoku Adult League 四国社会人リーグ |
Kochi U TORASTAR F.C. | Nankoku, Kōchi |
| Igosso Kōchi F.C. | Kōchi, Kōchi | |
| F.C. Imabari | Imabari, Ehime | |
| R.VELHO | Takamatsu, Kagawa | |
| Tadotsu F.C. | Tadotsu, Kagawa | |
| Llamas Kōchi F.C. | Kōchi, Kōchi | |
| Nakamura Club | Shimanto, Kōchi | |
| Rossorise KFC | Kōchi, Kōchi |
