J2 League (Japan)

J2 League (Meiji Yasuda J2 League) - Japan’s second-tier professional men’s club league competition organised under the Japan Professional Football League (J.League). Regulations: the league is contested by 20 clubs in a double round-robin home-and-away format (38 matchweeks), with 3 points for a win, 1 for a draw and 0 for a loss, and final standings are determined by total points, then goal difference, goals scored, head-to-head records between the tied teams (points, goal difference, goals scored), with a draw of lots possible only when required to decide promotion or relegation. At season end, the clubs finishing 1st and 2nd are normally promoted to the J1 League, while 3rd to 6th compete for the remaining promotion place via the J1 Promotion Play-Off, played as single-match knockout ties hosted by the higher-ranked club, and if level after 90 minutes the higher-ranked club advances, with participation and the number of eligible clubs dependent on club licensing and no replacement from 7th place or below. At the bottom, the three lowest-placed clubs are normally relegated to the J3 League, although the number of exchanges between divisions can be adjusted if promotion-eligible clubs do not meet licensing requirements. J2 League finishing positions do not directly award AFC club competition berths, which are allocated under Japan’s AFC quota primarily via J1 League outcomes and the Emperor’s Cup winner under the applicable rules.