J. League Associate Membership

J. League Associate Membership　 is a status given to non-league football clubs in Japan that has intention to join the professional league, J. League, in the near future. Clubs from the JFL, Regional Divisions, and Prefectual Divisions, may apply for the membership. The applications are reviewed and inspected by a committee formed by the league. The Associate Membership is now required for J2 promotion and the system allows the J. League to identify the clubs that are intending to join the league. The committee also provide necessary resources to the members to fasten the process for the lower division clubs.

Former System (1993-1998)

Originally, when the professional league formed in 1993 with ten clubs, the league's intention was to keep the number of clubs to 10 for at least two to three years, and then gradually increase the roster to 16 by adding a club or two in year-to-year basis. However, the league had underestimated the demand of clubs becoming professional. Thus, the league started giving out associate membership to clubs in then the second-tier Japan Football League (former). Just like the current system, associate clubs finishing top two were allowed to be promoted to the league. Associate members also had right to participate in Yamazaki Nabisco Cup games and reserve league games.

Current System (2006-present)

Criteria for Membership

;Club Organization
* Must be entity or organization solely devoted to football
**Company and university clubs do not qualify
**At least half of the shares of stock must be Japanese ownership
* Must have feasible financial status:(Note: The league recommends ¥ 1.5 million of capital by J2 promotion and 5 million by end of the third J2 year.)
* Must secure sponsorships of ¥ 1 million
* Must hire at least three administrative employees, one of whom must have managerial position
* Must have proper payroll system according to Japanese Law
* Must complete tax audit annually

;Home Stadium/Training Facility
* Home stadium must be located in the proposed hometown
* Must have or have plans to build/reconstruct stadium with capacity of 10,000 and natural grass pitch
* Must have a press box and a conference room for pre- and post-match news conferences in the stadium
* Must secure a training facility within the proposed hometown

;Home Town
* Must be approved by respective Prefectural Football Association
* Must be approved by the hometown government in writing

;Others
* Must currently play in JFL, Regional Divisions, or Prefectural Divisions
* Must have 5 players with pro A contract (see: J. League contracts)
* Must desire eventual promotion to the J2
* Must have plans for a youth system:(Note: Having youth teams is a requirement for J1 promotion, not for J2 promotion.)

Advantages

* Required for J2 promotion
* The league committee will provide resources to assist the club to attain J2 promotion
* The right to label the club as "J. League Associate Members". However, this does not allow the use of J. League logos, which would be considered copyright infringement until actual promotion is achieved.

J.League Associate Members

This chart shows when the club applied and was approved as an associate member.
*Green = Former/Current members:(Note: Bold designates promoted clubs after securing top four in JFL)
*White = Membership Declined/Awaiting for approval

† This indicates the participated league at the time of application, not necessary the league that the club currently belongs in.

;Current members
* Gainare Tottori (JFL)
* Tochigi S.C. (JFL)
* Fagiano Okayama F.C. (JFL)
* New Wave Kitakyushu (JFL)
* Kataller Toyama (JFL)

;Past members
* Rosso Kumamoto
* F.C. Gifu

ee also

*J. League
*Japan Football League
*Japanese football league system
*List of football clubs in Japan

J. League