Nadeshiko League
Founded1989 (1989), as L.League
CountryJapan
ConfederationAFC
DivisionsD1: Division 1
D2: Division 2
Number of teamsD1: 12
D2: 10
Level on pyramid2–3
Relegation toRegional leagues
Domestic cup(s)Empress's Cup
League cup(s)Nadeshiko League Cup
Current championsD1: Orca Kamogawa FC (1st title)
D2: Viamaterras Miyazaki (1st title)
(2023)
Most championshipsD1: NTV Beleza (17 titles)
D2:
TV partnersYouTube
Mycujoo
SPOZONE
Abema
DAZN
Websiteen.nadeshikoleague.jp
(in English)
Current: 2023 Nadeshiko League

The Japan Women's Football League (Japanese: 日本女子サッカーリーグ, Nihon Joshi Sakkā Rīgu), commonly known as the Nadeshiko League (Japanese: なでしこリーグ, Nadeshiko Rīgu), is a semi-professional women's association football league in Japan.

The Nadeshiko League consists of two divisions that correspond to the second and third levels of the Japanese women's football pyramid respectively. Teams are promoted and relegated between the divisions, and between the Nadeshiko League Division 2 and the fourth-level Japanese regional leagues, based on performance in the previous season. Prior to 2021, the Nadeshiko League occupied the top level of the Japanese women's football pyramid as well; that level is now represented by the fully professional WE League.

Since 2008, the Nadeshiko League has been sponsored by Plenus (株式会社プレナス), a fast food (bento) company based in Fukuoka.[1]

History

The Japan Women's Football League, or the L. League, was founded in 1989. From 1993 to 1999 it adopted an Apertura and Clausura system, similar to the J. League system of that era. From 2000 to 2003 the clubs were divided into East and West groups and then the top clubs of each would go into a championship group, with the bottom clubs in a relegation group. In 2004 the single-table format was brought back. Teams from this early era would host annual training camps to build skills and relationships with international women's football clubs, such as those in the United States and Australia.

In 2004 the L. League acquired the nickname the Nadeshiko League. Nadeshiko is the name of the dianthus flower and was chosen from suggestions by fans, signifying an ideal of a dutiful Japanese woman.[2][3]

In the 2004 season, the L. League added a second division, and until 2009 the league operated in the same way as the old Japan Soccer League for men where the bottom club in the second division playing off against a regional league playoff winner. In 2010, the second division was divided into east and west groups of six teams each; the winners of each group were promoted to the first division.

After Japan's World Cup win in 2011, the L. League saw an upsurge in popularity.[4][5][6][7][8] In 2015, the league added a third division called the Nadeshiko Challenge League (チャレンジリーグ, Charenji Rīgu) was added, and the first and second divisions now had 10 teams each.

In 2020, the Japan Football Association announced that the newly established WE League will become the top level for women's football in Japan in 2021.[9] The Nadeshiko League would then become the second to fourth levels of the Japanese women's football pyramid. After many top teams left for the WE League, the Nadeshiko League abolished the third division in 2021.

Structure

Since 2021, the Nadeshiko League consists of two divisions:

Level on the pyramid Division
II 　Nadeshiko League Division 1

(Plenus Nadeshiko League Division 1)
12 clubs
↓ 1 relegation spot + 1 promotion/relegation series spot

III Nadeshiko League Division 2

(Plenus Nadeshiko League Division 2)
10 clubs
↑ 1 promotion spot + 1 promotion/relegation series spot
↓ 1 relegation spot + 1 promotion/relegation series spot

Clubs

Champions

Division 1

Bold indicate doubles with the Empress's Cup.[10]

Wins by club

Clubs in bold are those competing in Division 1 as of the 2023 season. Clubs in italics no longer exist.

Club Championships Years
Nippon TV Beleza[lower-alpha 1]
17
 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
Urawa Reds Ladies[lower-alpha 2]
4
 2004, 2009, 2014, 2020
Nikko Securities Dream Ladies
3
 1996, 1997, 1998
Iga FC Kunoichi[lower-alpha 3]
3
 1995, 1999, 2021
INAC Kobe Leonessa
3
 2011, 2012, 2013
Shimizu FC Ladies
1
 1989
Matsushita Electric LSC Bambina[lower-alpha 4]
1
 1994
Tasaki Perule FC
1
 2003
Sfida Setagaya FC
1
 2022
Orca Kamogawa FC
1
 2023

Notes

  1. ↑ Yomiuri Beleza was renamed to Nippon TV Beleza in 1999 and to Tokyo Verdy Beleza in 2011, when the Yomiuri Group sold its stake.
  2. ↑ Saitama Reinas were absorbed by Urawa Red Diamonds in 2005.
  3. ↑ Prima Ham FC Kunoichi was renamed to Iga FC Kunoichi in 2000.
  4. ↑ Matsushita LSC Bambina was renamed to Speranza FC Takatsuki in 2000. Then, renamed to Speranza Osaka-Takatsuki in 2012.
Wins by region
RegionTotalClubs
Kantō 26 Nippon TV Beleza (17), Nikko Securities Dream Ladies (3), Urawa Reds Ladies (4), Sfida Setagaya FC (1), Orca Kamogawa FC (1)
Kansai 5 INAC Kobe Leonessa (3), Matsushita Electric LSC Bambina (1), Tasaki Perule FC (1)
Tōkai 4 Iga FC Kunoichi (3), Shimizu FC Ladies (1)

Division 2

YearClub
2004Okayama Yunogo Belle
2005INAC Kobe Leonessa
2006Albirex Niigata Ladies
2007TEPCO Mareeze
2008JEF United Chiba Ladies
2009AS Elfen Sayama FC
YearEastWest
2010Tokiwagi Gakuen HSSperanza FC Takatsuki
2011FC Kibi International University Charme
YearClub
2012Vegalta Sendai Ladies
2013Tokiwagi Gakuen HS
2014Speranza FC Osaka-Takatsuki
2015AC Nagano Parceiro Ladies
2016Nojima Stella Kanagawa Sagamihara
2017Nippon Sport Science University Fields Yokohama
2018Iga FC Kunoichi
2019Ehime FC Ladies
2020Sfida Setagaya FC
2021JFA Academy Fukushima
2022Shizuoka SSU Bonita
2023Viamaterras Miyazaki

Challenge League

YearClub
2015Tokiwagi Gakuen HS
2016Orca Kamogawa FC
2017Shizuoka Sangyo University Iwata Bonita
2018Yamato Sylphid
2019FC Jumonji Ventus
2020JFA Academy Fukushima

2023 season

Division 1

Club Hometown Current spell in D1
Bunnys Gunma FC White StarMaebashi2022–
Orca Kamogawa FCKamogawa2021–
Sfida Setagaya FCSetagaya2021–
Nittaidai Fields YokohamaYokohama2021–
Yokohama FC SeagullsYokohama2021–
Yamato SylphidYamato2023–
Shizuoka SSU BonitaIwata2023–
NGU Loveledge NagoyaNagoya2021–
Iga FC KunoichiIga2019–
Speranza OsakaTakatsuki2021–
AS Harima AlbionHimeji2021–
Ehime FC LadiesMatsuyama2020–

Division 2

Clubs Hometown
Norddea HokkaidoSapporo
Tsukuba FC LadiesTsukuba
FC Fujizakura YamanashiNarusawa
JFA Academy Fukushima LSCSusono
Veertien Mie LadiesKuwana
Okayama Yunogo BelleMimasaka
KIU CharmeTakahashi
Diavorosso HiroshimaKumano
Fukuoka J. AnclasFukuoka
Viamaterras MiyazakiShintomi

Previous clubs

The following clubs have previously competed in the Nadeshiko League for at least one season.

Joined WE League in 2021

Joined WE League in 2023

Relegated to regional leagues

Defunct

Division 1 awards

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Plenus Co. Ltd. Supports Nadeshiko League". Plenus Co. Ltd. Retrieved 2013-11-17.
  2. ↑ Alisa Freedman, Laura Miller, Christine R. Yano. Modern Girls on the Go: Gender, Mobility, and Labor in Japan at Google Books. Stanford University Press, 2013.
  3. ↑ Gregory G. Reck, Bruce Allen Dick. American Soccer: History, Culture, Class at Google Books McFarland, 2015.
  4. ↑ "Nadeshiko League attendance on rise | The Japan Times Online". Japantimes.co.jp. 2011-08-07. Retrieved 2012-08-26.
  5. ↑ "Toyota to sponsor Nadeshiko League soccer " Japan Today: Japan News and Discussion". Japantoday.com. 2011-10-18. Retrieved 2012-08-26.
  6. ↑ "Sky Perfect TV to Show Japan Women's Soccer League Live Following World Cup Win". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2012-08-26.
  7. ↑ "Women's football is booming in Japan as the game tries to capitalise on Nadeshiko's World Cup and Olympic success". Goal.com. Retrieved 2012-08-26.
  8. ↑ "Nadeshiko League attendance on rise". The Japan Times. 2011-08-07. Retrieved 2013-11-17.
  9. ↑ "Japan unveils professional WE league". AFC. 3 June 2020.
  10. ↑ "Japan – List of Women Champions". RSSSF. Retrieved 22 November 2011.
  11. ↑ "Goals galore on three continents". FIFA. 22 November 2011. Archived from the original on 4 March 2012. Retrieved 22 November 2011.
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