Overview
- The league released detailed dates for the J1 Hyakunen Koso League regional round from Matchday 3, confirming final-round fixtures including Kashima vs FC Tokyo on May 23, Hiroshima vs Nagoya on May 23, and Shimizu vs Gamba Osaka on May 24 at the National Stadium in Tokyo.
- Teams are split into East and West groups of 10, with final standings decided by home-and-away playoffs between clubs that finish in the same position, and there is no relegation to J2.
- The calendar reform shifts the full league season to open in August following the interim competition.
- For J2 and J3, the special Hyakunen Koso League runs from February for roughly six months with regional matchups and no promotion or relegation.
- Club updates include Oita Trinita’s victory-prayer on January 8 and a February 8 home opener against Reylac Shiga, while Sagan Tosu began on January 5, was placed in the West B group, and manager Akio Kogiku is targeting wins toward the interim title, the J2 crown, and a return to J1.