Never, that is, until 2006, when an extraordinary performance in the Nationwide Regional League Championship Tournament surprised everyone -- including TDK themselves. Until that point in time, the team apparently had never even considered a possible future beyond the amateur ranks, and they seemed quite content with their position as a perrennial regional league member. But the surprise advancement to the JFL has stimulated a great deal of thought, and TDK has begun to throw its considerable creative talents behind the team. An image makeover was conducted in early 2007, giving the team a new logo, new uniforms . . . and just POSSIBLY . . . a new raison d'etre.

For the moment, TDK has indicated that it has no plans to spin off the club or consider possible J.League admission. Although there are currently no J.League participants in either Akita prefecture or nearby Aomori, this team seems unwilling to take up the challenge of creating a professional club. We suspect that the company and club officials would alter that stance if there was sufficient fan support, but at the moment it does not look like TDK is planning to go anywhere except (hopefully) further up the JFL ranks. However, considering the recent efforts to bring in talented players with at least a bit of J.League experience, it looks like the team is taking their berth in the JFL seriously. It would seem that the team intends to follow the lead of Honda FC and Sony Sendai -- the two most permanent corporate rivals in the JFL.

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