The Drop

Relegations have been introduced to J3 for the first time ever: it’s better to revisit what happened the first time around in J1 & J2.

Nobu-hero

After more than 700 matches in the Japanese pro-world, Nobuhiro Ishizaki is ready to give it another shot in Hachinohe.

Unlike other realities – for example, Nara Club or any club from Mie –, FC Osaka weren’t expected to get promoted. Now what?

Another newly promoted team rocking the league and a surprising promotion: these have been the awards for 2022 in the third division.

Matsumoto Yamaga can say… they’ve failed. But at least “MVP” Ayumu Yokoyama could be a sign of things changing.

Despite missing out on promotion, Kagoshima are doing things properly. Koki Arita winning “Best Signing” is a sign of that.

With a huge Winter campaign on the transfer market, FC Gifu were expected to steamroll J3. It went sideways straight away.

When they dropped from J2 to the newborn J3 in 2014, Gainare Tottori seemed ready to bounce back. They didn’t.

YSCC have always been there in the third division, but Akio Yoshida has become a symbol of their presence.

After a long chase, FC Iwaki have finally reached pro-football. And that’s just the beginning.