2002 J.League Division 2
The 2002 J.League Division 2 season was the 31st season of the second-tier club football in Japan and the 4th season since the establishment of J.League Division 2.
Starting this season, extra-time rule was abolished and the league adopted the traditional 3-1-0 points system. The twelve clubs competed in the quadruple round-robin format. The top two received promotion to the J.League Division 1. There were no relegation to the third-tier Japan Football League.
Clubs
The following 12 clubs played in J.League Division 2 during 2002 season. Of these clubs, Cerezo Osaka and Avispa Fukuoka were relegated from J.League Division 1 last year.- Albirex Niigata
- Avispa Fukuoka
- Cerezo Osaka
- Kawasaki Frontale
- Mito HollyHock
- Montedio Yamagata
- Oita Trinita
- Omiya Ardija
- Sagan Tosu
- Shonan Bellmare
- Ventforet Kofu
- Yokohama FC
League format
Twelve clubs played in quadruple round-robin format, a total of 44 games each. A club receives 3 points for a win, 1 point for a tie, and 0 points for a loss. The clubs are ranked by points, and tie breakers are, in the following order:- Goal differential
- Goals scored
- Head-to-head results