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The J.League Division Two, or "J2", as it is generally known, was established at the end of the J.League 1998 season. For a more detailed discussion of how the JFL evolved into the J.League, and then subsequently into the J2, Click HERE.
Although the J2 has been in existence for just half as long as the J1, the progress of the teams that make up this league shows that it is already a solid football league in terms of both organization and quality of play. During the first few years after 1999 -- the J2's inaugural season -- there were frequent cases of teams that did a poor job of managing their finances and consequently ended up at risk of financial collapse. However, clear-sighted management efforts by the J.League succeeded in bringing these teams back from the brink, and preventing other teams from going down the same dangerous path. League rules compel teams to maintain stable finances. In fact, financial statistics show that half of the teams in the J2, and all but 4 J1 clubs, posted an operating profit in the 1995 season. Even the teams that operated in the red were able to absorb the short-term losses without any danger to their longer-term solvency.
In terms of competitiveness, many of the original J2 clubs are now solidly entrenched in the J1, and many others are able to maintain a place in the top-flight for a year or more despite coming from what could be described as "smaller markets". The initial objective of establishing the J2 -- to provide a breeding ground for younger players and coaches -- now seems like a ridiculously modest ambition. Apart from a few of the newer teams, who still need time to build an organizational structure, any J2 club can entertain legitimate hopes of rising to J1 status, and perhaps even remaining there. Clubs like Ventforet Kofu and Yokohama FC were at one time the weakest of J2 clubs, but they have since climbed to J1 respectability.
In 2000, Mito Hollyhock advanced from the JFL to the J2, and the following season, 2001, saw Yokohama FC (resurrected from the remains of Yokohama Flugels, in 1999) enter the J2, increasing the number of teams to 12. Unfortunately, during these early years there was a painfully clear separation between the "competitive" clubs and teams which were just making up the numbers. This disparity was not only apparent in the quality of play, but also showed up in financial statements. In 2001 and 2002, several teams found themselves teetering on the verge of bankruptcy, and the League temporarily halted new additions to the J2.
By 2004, the financial situations at most teams had improved, and the J2 was considered solid enough in both finances and attendances to accept new entrants. The J.League opened up the field for new promotion, with Thespa Kusatsu and Tokushima Vortis joining in 2005, followed by Ehime FC in 2006. The J.League is now planning to increase the number of teams to between 16 and 18 by 2010, at which point the establishment of a "J3" will be considered.
For more details on the history of the J2, year by year (including league standings and other data), Click HERE
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J2 Members for the 2007 season
 Consadole Sapporo
 Montedio Yamagata
 Vegalta Sendai
 Mito Hollyhock
 Thespa Kusatsu
 Kashiwa Reysol
 Tokyo Verdy
 Shonan Bellmare
 Kyoto Sanga
 Cerezo Osaka
 Tokushima Vortis
 Ehime FC
 Avispa Fukuoka
 Sagan Tosu
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National Team
Overseas Players
