2024 J2 League

The 2024 J2 League, also known as the 2024 Meiji Yasuda J2 League (Japanese: 2024 明治安田J2リーグ, Hepburn: 2024 Meiji Yasuda J2 Rīgu) for sponsorship reasons, is the 26th season of the J2 League, the second-tier Japanese professional league for association football clubs, since its establishment in 1999. This will also be the tenth season of the league since its rebrand from J.League Division 2.

J2 League
Season2024
Dates24 February – 10 November 2024
Matches played199
Goals scored476 (2.39 per match)
Top goalscorerEdigar Junio (12 goals)
Biggest home winJEF United Chiba 8–0 Tochigi SC
(3 April 2024)
Biggest away winRoasso Kumamoto 0–6 Iwaki FC
(17 March 2024)
Highest scoringJEF United Chiba 8–0 Tochigi SC
(3 April 2024)
Highest attendance17,938
Vegalta Sendai 2–0 Montedio Yamagata
(13 April)[1]
Lowest attendance1,255
Thespa Gunma 0–2 Oita Trinita
(3 April)[1]
Total attendance1,311,431[2]
Average attendance6,590[3]
← 2023
2025 →
All statistics correct as of 16:09, 17 June 2024 (UTC).

Overview

For the first time since 2011, the number of the clubs in the league decreased from 22 to 20.[4]

This season, there will be three automatic relegation spots to the J3 League (one more than the 2023 season) and two clubs will gain automatic promotion to the J1 League. Like last season, the winner of the J2 promotion play-off will also be promoted to the top tier.

Additionally, some J3 League clubs may not have a J2 license and may not be promoted if they finish in the top two places of the J3 League.

Schedule

The league and match format was announced on 19 December 2023. The league will begin on 23 February and end on 10 November in a round-robin format of 38 matches.[5]

The J1 promotion play-offs will have the semi-finals on 30 November or 1 December with the final taking place on 7 December.[6]

Changes from the previous season

Zweigen Kanazawa and Omiya Ardija were relegated to the 2024 J3 League, finishing the previous J2 League season as 21st and 22nd-placed teams, respectively.

Yokohama FC were the sole team to be relegated from the J1 League, after only one season in the top flight.

Both Machida Zelvia and Júbilo Iwata are promoted to the J1 League as champions and runners-up, respectively, of the previous J2 League season. Tokyo-based Machida will make their debut in the top flight of Japanese football, while Júbilo will make their immediate comeback to the J1. Joining the duo are Tokyo Verdy, who finished 3rd in 2023 and earned promotion after winning the promotion play-offs, thus making their first top flight appearance since 2008.

J3 winners Ehime FC and runners-up Kagoshima United were both promoted from the J3 League. Ehime are returning to the second-tier following two seasons in the J3 League and Kagoshima United will be playing only their second J2 season after five years absence.

From this season, Thespakusatsu Gunma changed their name to Thespa Gunma.[7]

Clubs
Locations of the 2024 J2 League teams
Club nameHometownStadiumCapacityPrevious season rankLicense
Blaublitz Akita Akita Soyu Stadium 20,125 J2 (13th) J1
Ehime FC All cities/towns in Ehime[lower-alpha 1] Ningineer Stadium 21,401 J3 (1st) J1
Fagiano Okayama All cities/towns in Okayama[lower-alpha 2] City Light Stadium 20,000 J2 (10th) J1
Fujieda MYFC Cities/towns in Shizuoka Prefecture Fujieda Soccer Stadium 13,000 J2 (12th) J1
Iwaki FC Iwaki and Futaba District, Fukushima Hawaiians Stadium Iwaki 5,600 J2 (18th) J1
JEF United Chiba Chiba & Ichihara, Chiba Fukuda Denshi Arena 18,500 J2 (6th) J1
Kagoshima United Kagoshima Shiranami Stadium 19,934 J3 (2nd) J1
Mito HollyHock All cities/towns in central and northern Ibaraki[lower-alpha 3] K's denki Stadium Mito 12,000 J2 (17th) J1
Montedio Yamagata All cities/towns in Yamagata[lower-alpha 4] ND Soft Stadium 20,315 J2 (5th) J1
Oita Trinita Ōita Prefecture Showa Denko Dome Oita 40,000 J2 (9th) J1
Renofa Yamaguchi All cities/towns in Yamaguchi Ishin Me-Life Stadium 20,000 J2 (20th) J1
Roasso Kumamoto Kumamoto, Kumamoto Egao Kenko Stadium 32,000 J2 (14th) J1
Shimizu S-Pulse Shizuoka IAI Stadium Nihondaira 20,339 J2 (4th) J1
Thespa Gunma All cities/towns in Gunma[lower-alpha 5] Shoda Shoyu Stadium Gunma 15,253 J2 (11th) J1
Tochigi SC Utsunomiya, Tochigi Kanseki Stadium Tochigi 25,244 J2 (19th) J1
Tokushima Vortis Tokushima Prefecture Pocarisweat Stadium 20,441 J2 (15th) J1
V-Varen Nagasaki All cities/towns in Nagasaki Prefecture[lower-alpha 6] Nagasaki Athletic Stadium 20,246 J2 (7th) J1
Vegalta Sendai Miyagi Prefecture Yurtec Stadium Sendai 19,694 J2 (16th) J1
Ventforet Kofu All cities/towns in Yamanashi Prefecture[lower-alpha 7] JIT Recycle Ink Stadium 17,000 J2 (8th) J1
Yokohama FC Kanagawa Prefecture Mitsuzawa Stadium 15,444 J1 (18th) J1
  1. centering on Matsuyama
  2. centering on Okayama, Kurashiki, Tsuyama
  3. Mito, Hitachi, Hitachinaka, Kasama, Naka, Omitama, Hitachiota, Kitaibaraki, Hitachiomiya, Takahagi, Ibaraki, Shirosato, Oarai, Daigo, Tokai
  4. centering on Yamagata, Tendo, Tsuruoka
  5. centering on Kusatsu and Maebashi
  6. centering on Nagasaki and Isahaya
  7. centering on Kofu and Nirasaki

Personnel and kits
ClubManagerCaptainKit manufacturer Main shirt sponsor
Blaublitz Akita Ken Yoshida Hiroto Morooka Athleta TDK
Ehime FC Kiyotaka Ishimaru Kenta Tokushige Jogarbola Ningineer Network
Fagiano Okayama Takashi Kiyama Ryo Takeuchi Penalty GROP
Fujieda MYFC Daisuke Sudo Masahiko Sugita Gol. Seikan Kensa Center
Iwaki FC Yuzo Tamura Kengo Tanaka Under Armour BHC
JEF United Chiba Yoshiyuki Kobayashi Daisuke Suzuki Hummel Fuji Electric
Kagoshima United Tetsuya Asano Yuji Kimura Angua Satsuma Shimabijin
Mito HollyHock Naoki Mori Koichi Murata soccer junky K's Holdings
Montedio Yamagata Susumu Watanabe Shuto Minami Penalty ABeam
Oita Trinita Tomohiro Katanosaka Arata Watanabe Puma Daihatsu Kyushu
Renofa Yamaguchi Ryo Shigaki Kota Kawano Finta upr
Roasso Kumamoto Takeshi Oki Rei Hirakawa Puma Hirata
Shimizu S-Pulse Tadahiro Akiba Yoshinori Suzuki Puma Suzuyo
Thespa Gunma Akira Muto Hajime Hosogai Kelme Cainz
Tochigi SC Shinji Kobayashi Sho Sato Athleta TKC
Tokushima Vortis Kosaku Masuda Yoichiro Kakitani Mizuno Otsuka Pharmaceutical
(Pocari Sweat)
V-Varen Nagasaki Takahiro Shimotaira Hiroki Akino Macron Japanet
Vegalta Sendai Yoshiro Moriyama Yasushi Endo Adidas Iris Ohyama
Ventforet Kofu Yoshiyuki Shinoda Masahiro Sekiguchi Mizuno Hakubaku
Yokohama FC Shuhei Yomoda Gabriel Puma Onodera Group

Managerial changes
Team Outgoing managerManner of departureDate of vacancyPosition in the tableIncoming managerDate of
appointment
Tochigi SC Yu Tokisaki[8] Resigned 6 November 2023 Pre-season Makoto Tanaka[9] 5 December 2023
Oita Trinita Takahiro Shimotaira[10] 10 November 2023 Tomohiro Katanosaka[11] 30 November 2023
Vegalta Sendai Takafumi Hori[12] 13 November 2023 Yoshiro Moriyama[13] 27 November 2023
Renofa Yamaguchi Juan Esnáider[14] 13 November 2023 Ryo Shigaki[15] 5 December 2023
V-Varen Nagasaki Fábio Carille[16] Contract terminated[lower-alpha 1] 15 February 2024 Takahiro Shimotaira[19] 15 February 2024
Tokushima Vortis Tatsuma Yoshida Contract terminated[20] 31 March 2024 20th Kosaku Masuda[21] 1 April 2024 (Interim)
7 May 2024 (Official)
Mito HollyHock Yoshimi Hamasaki Contract terminated[22] 4 May 2024 19th Naoki Mori[23] 9 May 2024
Thespa Gunma Tsuyoshi Otsuki Contract terminated[24] 6 May 2024 20th Akira Muto[25] 8 May 2024
Tochigi SC Makoto Tanaka Contract terminated[26] 14 May 2024 19th Shinji Kobayashi[27] 15 May 2024
Kagoshima United Yasuaki Oshima Contract terminated[28] 27 May 2024 18th Tetsuya Asano[29] 29 May 2024
  1. On 19 December 2023, Carille was named Santos manager.[17] Hours after his presentation, V-Varen Nagasaki claimed that Carille had already renewed his contract for 2024. They filed a lawsuit with FIFA,[18] but eventually Carille's contract with Nagasaki was terminated on 15 February.

Foreign players

As of the 2023 season, there are no more restrictions on a number of signed foreign players, but clubs can only register up to five foreign players for a single match-day squad.[30] Players from J.League partner nations (Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Malaysia, Cambodia, Singapore, Indonesia and Qatar) are exempt from these restrictions.

  • Players name in bold indicates the player is registered during the midseason transfer window.
  • Player's name in italics indicates the player has Japanese nationality in addition to their FIFA nationality, or is exempt from being treated as a foreign player due to having been born in Japan and being enrolled in, or having graduated from school in the country.[31]
Club Player 1 Player 2 Player 3 Player 4 Player 5 Player 6 Player 7 Former players
Blaublitz Akita
Ehime FC Ben Duncan Bak Keon-woo Kang Sung-chan Yu Ye-chan
Fagiano Okayama Gabriel Xavier Gleyson Lucão Svend Brodersen
Fujieda MYFC Anderson Chaves Carlinhos Wendel
Iwaki FC Joo Hyun-jin Park Jun-yeong
JEF United Chiba Dudu Dudu Pacheco Mendes
Kagoshima United Ono Cholhwan
Mito HollyHock
Montedio Yamagata
Oita Trinita Derlan Matheus Pereira Samuel Kim Hyun-woo Mun Kyung-gun
Renofa Yamaguchi Renan Sílvio Choi Hyung-chan Kim Byeom-yong
Roasso Kumamoto Bae Jeong-min
Shimizu S-Pulse Carlinhos Júnior Douglas Tanque Lucas Braga Abdul-Aziz Yakubu
Thespa Gunma
Tochigi SC Rafael Costa Origbaajo Ismaila Kim Min-jun Park Yong-ji
Tokushima Vortis Elsinho Kaique Tiago Alves José Aurelio Suárez
V-Varen Nagasaki Edigar Junio Marcos Guilherme Matheus Jesus Valdo Luka Radotić Juanma
Vegalta Sendai Eron Matheus Moraes
Ventforet Kofu Adaílton Eduardo Mancha Fabián González Peter Utaka Taiga Son
Yokohama FC Caprini Gabriel Léo Bahia Michel Phelipe Yuri Lara Nguyễn Công Phượng

    League table
    Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion or relegation
    1 V-Varen Nagasaki 21 13 7 1 41 18 +23 46 Promotion to the 2025 J1 League
    2 Yokohama FC 21 13 4 4 35 12 +23 43
    3 Shimizu S-Pulse 21 14 1 6 35 25 +10 43 Qualification for the promotion play-offs
    4 Fagiano Okayama 21 10 7 4 27 16 +11 37
    5 Vegalta Sendai 21 9 8 4 26 23 +3 35
    6 Renofa Yamaguchi 21 10 4 7 26 18 +8 34
    7 JEF United Chiba 21 10 3 8 41 24 +17 33
    8 Iwaki FC 21 8 7 6 31 19 +12 31
    9 Ehime FC 21 8 7 6 28 28 0 31
    10 Blaublitz Akita 21 7 7 7 23 20 +3 28
    11 Tokushima Vortis 21 7 4 10 19 29 −10 25
    12 Ventforet Kofu 21 6 6 9 31 31 0 24
    13 Oita Trinita 21 5 9 7 18 23 −5 24
    14 Fujieda MYFC 21 7 3 11 16 30 −14 24
    15 Montedio Yamagata 21 6 5 10 18 24 −6 23
    16 Kagoshima United 21 5 7 9 21 34 −13 22
    17 Mito HollyHock 21 5 6 10 18 23 −5 21
    18 Roasso Kumamoto 21 5 6 10 24 39 −15 21 Relegation to 2025 J3 League
    19 Tochigi SC 21 5 5 11 18 38 −20 20
    20 Thespa Gunma 21 1 6 14 11 33 −22 9
    Updated to match(es) played on 26 June 2024. Source: Meiji Yasuda J2 League, J.League Data Site
    Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Head-to-head points; 5) Head-to-head goal difference; 6) Head-to-head goal scored; 7) Fair-play points.

    Season statistics

    Top scorers
    As of 16 June 2024[32]
    Rank Player Club Goals
    1 Edigar Junio V-Varen Nagasaki 12
    2 Hiiro Komori JEF United Chiba 10
    3 Kaina Tanimura Iwaki FC 9
    Koya Kitagawa Shimizu S-Pulse
    5 Adaílton Ventforet Kofu 8
    Matheus Jesus V-Varen Nagasaki
    7 Peter Utaka Ventforet Kofu 7
    Juanma V-Varen Nagasaki
    9 Ken Yamura Fujieda MYFC 6
    Motohiko Nakajima Vegalta Sendai
    Shun Nagasawa Oita Trinita
    Dudu JEF United Chiba

    Awards

    Monthly awards
    Month Manager of the Month Monthly MVP Goal of the Month Young Player of the Month References
    ManagerClubPlayerClubPlayerClubPlayerClub
    February/March Takashi Kiyama Fagiano Okayama Gleyson Fagiano Okayama Matheus Jesus V-Varen Nagasaki Hayato Tanaka V-Varen Nagasaki [33][34][35][36]
    April Takahiro Shimotaira V-Varen Nagasaki Koya Kitagawa Shimizu S-Pulse Kento Hashimoto Tokushima Vortis Tsubasa Kasayanagi V-Varen Nagasaki [37][38][39][40]
    May Yoshiro Moriyama Vegalta Sendai Motohiko Nakajima Vegalta Sendai Shinya Yajima Shimizu S-Pulse Harumi Minamino Tochigi SC [41][42][43][44]

    See also

    References
    1. "入場者数一覧". data.j-league.or.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 14 May 2024.
    2. "２０２４明治安田Ｊ２リーグ". data.j-league.or.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 14 May 2024.
    3. "J. League Data Site". data.j-league.or.jp. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
    4. "League Structure and Competition Format from 2024 Season Unify the number of clubs in each category to 20 League Cup changed to a knockout competition with participation of all J1, J2 and J3 clubs". Japan Professional Football League. 21 December 2022. Retrieved 9 February 2023.
    5. "２０２４明治安田Ｊ２リーグ 大会方式および試合方式について：Ｊリーグ公式サイト（J.LEAGUE.jp）". Ｊリーグ.jp（日本プロサッカーリーグ） (in Japanese). Retrieved 23 January 2024.
    6. "２０２４Ｊ１昇格プレーオフ 大会方式および試合方式について：Ｊリーグ公式サイト（J.LEAGUE.jp）". Ｊリーグ.jp（日本プロサッカーリーグ） (in Japanese). 19 December 2023. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
    7. "２０２４Ｊリーグ クラブ編成：Ｊリーグ公式サイト（J.LEAGUE.jp）". Ｊリーグ.jp（日本プロサッカーリーグ） (in Japanese). 19 December 2023. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
    8. "時崎監督の退任を発表【栃木】：Ｊリーグ公式サイト（J.LEAGUE.jp）". Ｊリーグ.jp（日本プロサッカーリーグ） (in Japanese). 7 November 2023. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
    9. "来季の新監督に田中氏が就任【栃木】：Ｊリーグ公式サイト（J.LEAGUE.jp）". Ｊリーグ.jp（日本プロサッカーリーグ） (in Japanese). 5 December 2023. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
    10. "【トップチーム】下平隆宏監督退任のお知らせ". 大分トリニータ公式サイト (in Japanese). 10 November 2023. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
    11. "【トップチーム】片野坂知宏氏 監督就任のお知らせ". 大分トリニータ公式サイト (in Japanese). 30 November 2023. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
    12. "堀孝史監督 退任のお知らせ". ベガルタ仙台オフィシャルサイト (in Japanese). Retrieved 23 January 2024.
    13. "森山佳郎監督就任のお知らせ". ベガルタ仙台オフィシャルサイト (in Japanese). 27 November 2023. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
    14. "フアン エスナイデル 監督 退任のお知らせ | レノファ山口FC". RENOFA YAMAGUCHI FC (in Japanese). 13 November 2023. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
    15. "志垣 良 氏 レノファ山口FC トップチーム 監督就任のお知らせ | レノファ山口FC". RENOFA YAMAGUCHI FC (in Japanese). 5 December 2023. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
    16. "ファビオ カリーレ監督及びスタッフとの契約終了 ならびに同人らに対する国際サッカー連盟（FIFA）への提訴完了のお知らせ". 15 February 2024. Retrieved 26 February 2024.
    17. "Fábio Carille é apresentado como treinador do Santos: "Camisa histórica"". 20 December 2023. Retrieved 26 February 2024.
    18. "サントスFCならびにファビオ カリーレ監督等に関するFIFAへの申立てについて（1月19日時点）". 19 January 2024. Retrieved 26 February 2024.
    19. "下平 隆宏 監督就任のお知らせ". 26 February 2024. Retrieved 26 February 2024.
    20. "吉田監督の解任を発表【徳島】：Ｊリーグ公式サイト（J.LEAGUE.jp）". Ｊリーグ.jp（日本プロサッカーリーグ） (in Japanese). 1 April 2024. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
    21. "増田氏が正式に監督に就任【徳島】：Ｊリーグ公式サイト（J.LEAGUE.jp）". Ｊリーグ.jp（日本プロサッカーリーグ） (in Japanese). 7 May 2024. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
    22. "濱崎芳己監督 解任のお知らせ". 水戸ホーリーホック公式サイト (in Japanese). 4 May 2024. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
    23. "森直樹監督 就任のお知らせ". 水戸ホーリーホック公式サイト (in Japanese). 9 May 2024. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
    24. "Tsuyoshi Otsuki Notice of Contract Termination". thespa.co.jp. thespa.co.jp. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
    25. "武藤 覚ヘッドコーチ　新監督就任のお知らせ". thespa.co.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 8 May 2024.
    26. "田中監督と柳下ヘッドコーチの契約を解除【栃木】：Ｊリーグ公式サイト（J.LEAGUE.jp）". Ｊリーグ.jp（日本プロサッカーリーグ） (in Japanese). Retrieved 20 May 2024.
    27. "小林氏が新監督に就任【栃木】：Ｊリーグ公式サイト（J.LEAGUE.jp）". Ｊリーグ.jp（日本プロサッカーリーグ） (in Japanese). 16 May 2024. Retrieved 20 May 2024.
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    29. "浅野氏が新監督に就任【鹿児島】：Ｊリーグ公式サイト（J.LEAGUE.jp）". Ｊリーグ.jp（日本プロサッカーリーグ） (in Japanese). Retrieved 31 May 2024.
    30. "「ホームグロウン制度」の導入と「外国籍選手枠」の変更について". J.LEAGUE.jp. Archived from the original on 2022-11-26. Retrieved 2022-11-24.
    31. "プロサッカー選手の契約、登録および移籍に関する規則" (PDF). jfa.jp.
    32. "All Positions | Goals | All clubs | MEIJI YASUDA J2 LEAGUE | 2024 Player Stats". J.LEAGUE. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
    33. "Kuroda named Manager of the Month after Zelvia's fast start | News". J.LEAGUE. 17 April 2024.
    34. "Zelvia star Hirakawa earns Konami Monthly MVP for February and March | News". J.LEAGUE. 17 April 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
    35. "Taniguchi's magnificent volley for Albirex wins Goal of the Month for February and March | News". J.LEAGUE. 17 April 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
    36. "Suzuki shines bright for Bellmare to win Young Player of the Month for February and March | News". J.LEAGUE. 17 April 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
    37. "Akio Kogiku named Manager of the Month for Cerezo Osaka's terrific April | News". J.LEAGUE. 14 May 2024. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
    38. "Top Scorer Ryo Germain wins Konami Monthly MVP for April | News". J.LEAGUE. 14 May 2024. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
    39. "Thiago Santana awarded April Goal of the Month for spectacular half-field strike | News". J.LEAGUE. 14 May 2024. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
    40. "Isa Sakamoto's amazing April wins him Young Player of the Month | News". J.LEAGUE. 14 May 2024. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
    41. "Popović wins Manager of the Month after leading Kashima's May surge | News". J.LEAGUE. 12 June 2024. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
    42. "Suzuki named Konami Monthly MVP after marvelous May for Kashima | News". J.LEAGUE. 12 June 2024. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
    43. "Inukai's magnificent 35-yard blast wins Goal of the Month for May | News". J.LEAGUE. 12 June 2024. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
    44. "Tawaratsumida named Young Player of the Month for outstanding May | News". J.LEAGUE. 12 June 2024. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
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