The landscape of Japanese football in 2017 featured a robust schedule of domestic league play, cup competitions, and international fixtures, reflecting the sport’s strong presence and popularity nationwide. The J1 League continued to be the centerpiece of domestic football, with clubs competing intensely for the title and qualification for continental tournaments like the AFC Champions League. Knockout competitions such as the Emperor’s Cup and J.League Cup offered additional opportunities for clubs to claim major honors. Japan’s national teams, including both men’s and women’s squads, participated in key international matches and tournaments, preparing for upcoming global events. Throughout the year, notable player transfers, coaching changes, and developments in youth football highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen the sport’s foundation and future prospects across Japan.
Promotion and relegation
Teams relegated from
J1 League
The , the J.League or the for sponsorship reasons, is a professional association football league in Japan and the highest level of the Japanese football league system.
Contested by 20 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation ...
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Nagoya Grampus
; formerly known as is a Japanese association football club that plays in the J1 League, and have for all but one season since the inauguration of the league, following promotion from the J2 League in 2017.
Based in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture an ...
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Shonan Bellmare
is a Japanese professional football club based in Hiratsuka, in the west of Kanagawa Prefecture, part of the Greater Tokyo Area. The club plays in the J1 League, which is the top tier of football in the country. Their home stadium is Hiratsuk ...
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Avispa Fukuoka
Teams promoted to
J1 League
The , the J.League or the for sponsorship reasons, is a professional association football league in Japan and the highest level of the Japanese football league system.
Contested by 20 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation ...
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Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo
is a Japanese professional football club based in Sapporo, on the island of Hokkaido. They will play in the 2025 J2 League, the second tier league of Japanese football, after relegation from the J1 League at conclusion of the 2024 season.
Th ...
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Shimizu S-Pulse
is a Japanese professional association football, football club located in Shimizu-ku, Shizuoka, Shimizu-ku, Shizuoka (city), Shizuoka, Shizuoka Prefecture. S-Pulse is going to compete in the J1 League for the 2025 Season, after winning promotio ...
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Cerezo Osaka
is a Japanese professional football club based in Osaka. The club currently plays in the J1 League, which is the top tier of football in the country. The club's name ''Cerezo'' (Spanish for cherry blossom) is also the flower of the city of Osak ...
Teams relegated from
J2 League
The or simply J2 is the second division of the and the second level of the Japanese association football league system. The top tier is represented by the J1 League. It (along with the rest of the J.League) is currently sponsored by Meiji Yasud ...
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Giravanz Kitakyushu
Teams promoted to
J2 League
The or simply J2 is the second division of the and the second level of the Japanese association football league system. The top tier is represented by the J1 League. It (along with the rest of the J.League) is currently sponsored by Meiji Yasud ...
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Oita Trinita
is a Japanese football club located in Ōita, Capital of Ōita Prefecture. They currently play in J2 League, Japanese second tier of professional football.
Name origin
The club's name, ''Trinita'', is the Italian translation of the word ' ...
Teams relegated from
J3 League
or simply J3 is the third division of . It was established in 2013 as the third-tier professional association football league in Japan under the organization of J.League. The league is known as the for sponsorship reasons.
The third-tier nation ...
: ''No relegation to the
Japan Football League
The , also known as simply the JFL, is the 4th tier of the Japanese association football league system, positioned beneath the three divisions of the J.League. The league features fully professional teams that hold J.League 100 Year Plan club sta ...
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Teams promoted to
J3 League
or simply J3 is the third division of . It was established in 2013 as the third-tier professional association football league in Japan under the organization of J.League. The league is known as the for sponsorship reasons.
The third-tier nation ...
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Azul Claro Numazu
Teams promoted to
Japan Football League
The , also known as simply the JFL, is the 4th tier of the Japanese association football league system, positioned beneath the three divisions of the J.League. The league features fully professional teams that hold J.League 100 Year Plan club sta ...
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FC Imabari
FC Imabari (FC今治, ''Efu Shī Imabari'') is a Japanese football club based in Imabari, Ehime Prefecture. They currently play in the J2 League after promotion from J3 League in 2024, Japan's second tier of professional football.
History
The ...
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Veertien Mie
Veertien Mie (ヴィアティン三重, ''Viatin Mie'') is a Japanese football club based between Kuwana, Mie, Kuwana and Yokkaichi, Mie, Yokkaichi, Mie Prefecture. They currently play in the Japan Football League, Japanese fourth tier of league ...
J1 League
J2 League
J3 League
Japan Football League
Regional Leagues
National team (Men)
Results
Players statistics
National team (Women)
Results
Players statistics
References
External links
{{DEFAULTSORT:2017 in Japanese Football
Seasons in Japanese football