2018 Japan Football League


The 2018 Japan Football League was the fifth season of the nationwide fourth tier of Japanese football, and the 20th season since the establishment of Japan Football League. The season ran from 11 March to 18 November 2018.

Clubs

Sixteen clubs participated in this season of Japan Football League. The list was announced on 15 January 2018.
Club nameHome townPositionNotes
Cobaltore OnagawaOnagawa, MiyagiRPS 1stPromoted from TSL after 1st place in 41st Regional Promotion Series
FC ImabariImabari, Ehime6thJ.League 100 Year Plan club status and J3 license holders
All cities/towns in Osaka4th
Honda FCHamamatsu, Shizuoka1stDefending champions of 2017
Miyazaki, Miyazaki8th
Maruyasu OkazakiOkazaki, Aichi9th
MIO Biwako ShigaKusatsu, Shiga13th
Nara ClubAll cities/towns in Nara7thJ.League 100 Year Plan club status and J3 license holders
Aomori, Aomori2nd
Ryūgasaki, Ibaraki10th
Sony SendaiTagajō, Miyagi3rd
Tegevajaro MiyazakiMiyazaki, MiyazakiRPS 2ndPromoted from KSL after 2nd place in 41st Regional Promotion Series
Tokyo Musashino CityMusashino, Tokyo11thJ.League 100 Year Plan club status
Vanraure HachinoheEastern cities/towns in Aomori5thJ.League 100 Year Plan club status and J3 license holders
Veertien MieAll cities/towns in Mie12th
Verspah OitaYufu & Ōita, Ōita14th

Change in rules

This season was the last to use the two-stage format, similar to the one J.League had in its early years and used in 2015 and 2016. Two single round-robin stages were held, and winners of each stage determined the champion in the post-season home and away championship playoffs. After five seasons, the JFL reverted to a one-stage double round-robin starting in 2019.

Top scorers

RankPlayerClubGoals
1

Promotion from Regional Leagues

Matsue City and Suzuka Unlimited