J1 League Kicks Off

Feb 23, 2024 | News On Japan

TOKYO - The J1 League kicked off Friday, with eyes not only on the title race between accomplished teams such as the defending champions Vissel Kobe and Yokohama F. Marinos but also on the performance of newly promoted teams like FC Machida Zelvia and Tokyo Verdy, which is making a return to J1 after 16 years.

The J.League, marking a new start after its 30th anniversary last season, will commence with a match between Sanfrecce Hiroshima and Urawa Reds at the new "Edion Peace Wing Hiroshima" stadium in Hiroshima City at 2 PM on the 23rd. This season, J1 has expanded to 20 teams from the previous season and will contest 38 rounds until December to decide the champion.

Defending champions Vissel Kobe, aiming for back-to-back titles, boast key players like last season's MVP and top scorer Yuya Osako, and Hotaru Yamaguchi, who was selected for the Best Eleven. They are joined by experienced members such as former Japan national team midfielder Yosuke Ideguchi.

Yokohama F. Marinos, who finished second last season, are known for their overwhelming offensive power, leading the league with 63 goals. With Anderson Lopez, who shared the top scorer title with Vissel's Osako, their potent attack remains intact as they aim for their first championship in two seasons.

Urawa Reds, who finished fourth last season and won the ACL (Asian Champions League), are aiming for their first J1 title in 18 seasons with their league-best defense and newly strengthened attack.

Also worth watching is how the newly promoted teams will fare, including FC Machida Zelvia, led by the renowned high school soccer coach Tsuyoshi Kuroda, Jubilo Iwata, and Tokyo Verdy, returning to J1 after 16 years. The first round of J1 will have two matches on the 23rd, six on the 24th, and two on the 25th. The J2 and J3 leagues will kick off on the 24th.

Featured Matchups for J1 Round 1:

[February 23 (Friday)] - Hiroshima vs. Urawa 14:00 @ E Peace - Nagoya vs. Kashima 18:00 @ Toyota Stadium

[February 24 (Saturday)] - Iwata vs. Kobe 13:00 @ Yamaha Stadium - Fukuoka vs. Sapporo 14:00 @ Best Amenity Stadium - Tosu vs. Niigata 14:00 @ Station Stadium - Machida vs. G Osaka 15:00 @ G Stadium - Shonan vs. Kawasaki F 15:00 @ Lemon Gas Stadium - C Osaka vs. FC Tokyo 15:00 @ Yodoko Sakura Stadium

[February 25 (Sunday)] - Kashiwa vs. Kyoto 14:00 @ Hitachi Kashiwa Stadium - Tokyo V vs. Yokohama FM 14:00 @ National Stadium

Source: NHK

Powerful Typhoon No. 25 Heads Toward Kanto

Large and strong Typhoon No. 25 was moving northwest over waters south of the Tokai region at around 6 a.m. on September 20 and is forecast to turn northeast before passing offshore from Kanto on the night of September 21, bringing the risk of torrential rain, violent winds and transport disruption, with the Izu Islands potentially taking a direct hit.

Drone Hits Nagoya City Hall During Asian Games Light-Up

A drone filming the illuminated Nagoya City Hall headquarters crashed into a building across the road shortly before 9 p.m. on September 17, with police investigating whether the flight may have violated Japan's Civil Aeronautics Act.

Mount Tokachi Volcano Continues to Emit Smoke

Volcanic smoke continues to rise from Mount Tokachi (Tokachidake), an active volcano in Daisetsuzan National Park in Hokkaido, one week after its eruption alert level was raised to Level 3, restricting entry to the mountain and prompting a series of cancellations at nearby hot spring inns just before the peak autumn foliage season.

Starbucks Considers Selling Majority Stake in Japan Business

Starbucks is considering selling a majority stake in its Japanese business, potentially valued at as much as $3 billion, or about 470 billion yen, as the U.S. coffee chain seeks to concentrate management resources on its struggling North American operations.

Halloween Jumbo Lottery Goes on Sale With 400 Million Yen Top Prize

Japan's Halloween Jumbo Lottery went on sale nationwide on September 16, offering a combined top payout of 400 million yen for the first prize and its adjacent-number prizes.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Sports NEWS

Asian Games Open in Japan for First Time in 32 Years

The 20th Asian Games opened on September 19 with a ceremony at Paloma Mizuho Stadium in Nagoya, launching competition across venues in five prefectures through October 4.

Japan Women Rout Vietnam 8-0 to Reach Asian Games Quarterfinals

Japan secured a place in the women’s soccer quarterfinals at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games with one group-stage match remaining after overwhelming Vietnam 8-0 for its second consecutive victory.

Cruise Ship Arrives at Nagoya Port to House Asian Games Athletes

A cruise ship that will serve as an accommodation base for athletes and other participants in the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games arrived at Nagoya Port on September 15, ahead of the opening of the competition this week.

Digital Art Lights Up Aichi Government Buildings for Asian Games

Digital art projections will illuminate the Aichi Prefectural Government Office and Nagoya City Hall from September 17 through October 24 as part of celebrations surrounding the Asian Games and Asian Para Games, which will be held in September and October.

Nadeshiko Japan Crushes Thailand 8-0 in Asian Games Opener

Japan opened its women's soccer campaign at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games with an 8-0 victory over Thailand on September 14, making a dominant start to its bid for a third consecutive and fourth overall championship.

Japan Sports Report: September 12-13 Weekend Roundup

Japan enjoyed one of its busiest sporting weekends of the year on September 12 and 13, highlighted by the men's national volleyball team winning the Asian championship and securing qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, while Nippon Professional Baseball's pennant races tightened, Miyu Yamashita captured the Japan Women's PGA Championship, Kosuke Sunagawa earned his first men's tour victory, and the Asian Games moved closer to their official opening.

Sota Fujii Wins Seventh Straight Oi Title

Sota Fujii successfully defended his Oi title for a seventh consecutive year after defeating fellow 24-year-old Takumi Ito in Game 6 of the best-of-seven series, winning the match 4-2.

Japan Beats Australia for Third Straight Win in Asian Volleyball Championship

Japan's men's volleyball team defeated Australia in straight sets on September 9 to complete the preliminary round of the Asian Championship with three consecutive victories, advancing to the knockout stage as pool winner and moving within three wins of securing a place at the Los Angeles Olympics.

< 2 3 4 5 >