JFL History: 1997

By the middle of the 1997 season, the financial problems of many teams were already becoming apparent. Although the J.League would not recognise the crisis until 1998, in the JFL many teams were unable to continue due to lack of sponsorship. Consadole Sapporo, which enjoyed a strong local following, was promoted to the J.League, but several other teams dropped out of the JFL, and apart from the two promoted teams -- Sony Sendai and Albirex Niigata -- no new participants could be convinced to join the league. In the end, a leading university that was well known for its football program -- Kokugikan U. -- was convinced to join the league in order to make up the 16 teams needed to continue play in 1998. However, it was clear that the league was in trouble, and this was one of the factors that led to the league restructuring of 1998.

Rank	Team	Destination in 1998 Season
1	Consadole Sapporo		Consadole Sapporo	J.League
2	Tokyo Gas		FC Tokyo	.
3	Kawasaki Frontale	.	.	.
4	Honda Hamamatsu	.	.	.
5	Montedio Yamagata	.	.	.
6	Ventforet Kofu	.	.	.
7	Vortis Tokushima	.	.	.
8	Brummel Sendai		Vegalta Sendai	.
9	NTT Kanto		Omiya Ardija	.
10	Fukushima FC		disbanded
11	Sagan Tosu	.	.	.
12	Oita Trinita	.	.	.
13	Denso	.	.	.
14	Seino Transport		disbanded
15	Jatco	.	.	.
16	Mito Hollyhock	.	.	.