J.League 100 Year Plan club status
J.League 100 Year Plan club status, is a status given to Japanese non-league football clubs. The applicant must have an intention to become a professional club and to join the professional league, J.League, that governs the top three levels of the Japanese football pyramid. Usually clubs from the fourth level, Japan Football League, which is the top tier for amateur clubs, apply for the status; however, it is open for all amateur clubs down to Prefectural leagues. The applications are reviewed and inspected by a committee formed by the league. Since the 2014 season, the Associate Membership is the main criteria for J3 promotion. The system allows the League to identify such clubs, to provide necessary resources/advice, and to ease the transition to professionalism.
Former associate membership systems
1993–1998
Originally, when the professional league was 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 demands; there were far more clubs seeking top-flight football then the league have anticipated. Thus, the league adopted associate membership system for the clubs in then the second-tier Japan Football League. Just like the current system, associate clubs finishing in the top two were allowed to be promoted to the league, given that they have passed the final inspection by the league. Associate members also had the right to participate in Yamazaki Nabisco Cup games and reserve league games.This system was abolished in 1998 with the establishment of J.League Division 2 and the dissolution of the old JFL. Three remaining associate members were admitted to the J2 and Honda FC decided to maintain amateur status and joined the newly created JFL.
| Year applied | Club name | Year admitted to J.League | Notes |
| 1993 | Bellmare Hiratsuka | 1994 | Promoted to J.League |
| 1993 | Júbilo Iwata | 1994 | Promoted to J.League |
| 1993 | Kashiwa Reysol | 1995 | Promoted to J.League |
| 1994 | Cerezo Osaka | 1995 | Promoted to J.League |
| 1994 | Kyoto Purple Sanga | 1996 | Promoted to J.League |
| 1994 | Tosu Futures | 1999 | Taken over by Sagan Tosu. Promoted to J1 in 2012 |
| 1995 | Avispa Fukuoka | 1996 | Promoted to J.League |
| 1995 | Vissel Kobe | 1997 | Promoted to J.League |
| 1996 | Consadole Sapporo | 1998 | Promoted to J.League |
| 1996 | Brummell Sendai | 1999 | Promoted to Division 1 in 2002 |
| 1997 | Kawasaki Frontale | 1999 | Promoted to Division 1 in 2000 |
| 1997 | Honda Motors | - | Later withdrew membership due to lack of support from company and community |
2006–2013
After its establishment in 1999, J.League Division 2 became the frontier of J.League expansion, feeding from the simultaneously established Japan Football League. In their first seven years of co-existence, every club that applied for promotion was individually examined by the league. Five teams were promoted this way, but as the number of applicants increased over time, in October 2005 the JFA initiated the establishment of the new association membership system in order to provide an incentive for amateur clubs to obtain a sound economical and business basis necessary to J.League membership.The criteria for such membership were developed by joint JFA–J.League committee in early 2006. They covered various aspects of the club development, with the particular stress on organizational stability, adequate infrastructure, and support from the local government, sponsors, and community. Unlike the previous system, this membership has been targeted not only to JFL clubs, but to all amateurs club in the football pyramid, including Regional and Prefectural leagues.
Below is a list of criteria for associate membership in their last edition as of September 1, 2012.
;Club Organization
- Must be organized as a public corporation or NPO solely devoted to football.
- *Company and university clubs do not qualify
- *At least half of the shares of stock must be Japanese ownership
- Must hire at least three administrative employees, one of which must be in a managerial position.
- Must have a proper payroll system in accordance with Japanese law.
- Must complete an annual tax audit.
- Must be financially feasible.
- Must secure sponsorship of at least ¥1 million.
- Must be approved by respective Prefectural Football Association.
- Must be approved by the hometown government in writing.
- It must have a capacity of at least 10,000 and a natural grass pitch.
- It must be located in the proposed hometown.
- It must have a press box and a conference room for pre- and post-match news conferences.
- The club must secure training facilities within the proposed hometown.
- The club must currently play in JFL, Regional League, or Prefectural League.
- The club must aim for admission to J.League.
- The club must have plans for a youth system.
Since 2006, 29 clubs have applied for the J.League associate member status and 25 have received it, though for many clubs more than one application was necessary. Of those 25 that received the status, 11 were promoted to J2; 9 more were admitted to J3 League in 2013; and 5 remaining members transitioned to the new 100 Year Plan status in 2014. The table below summarizes the history of associate membership applications and J.League promotions/admissions. Promotions listed were to J2, unless indicated otherwise.
- Grey – membership declined
- Light green – remaining members, transformed into a 100 Year Plan status in 2014
| Applied | Club name | League† | Home town | Application results | Year admitted to J.League | Notes |
| August 2006 | Rosso Kumamoto | JFL | Kumamoto, Kumamoto | Approved | 2007 | Promoted to J2 as Roasso Kumamoto. |
| August 2006 | Tochigi SC | JFL | Utsunomiya, Tochigi | Declined | Reapplied in January 2007 | |
| January 2007 | FC Gifu | JFL | Gifu, Gifu | Approved | 2007 | Promoted to J2, approved conditionally at first. |
| January 2007 | Gainare Tottori | JFL | All cities/towns in Tottori | Approved | 2010 | Promoted to J2. |
| January 2007 | Tochigi SC | JFL | Utsunomiya, Tochigi | Approved | 2008 | Promoted to J2. |
| January 2007 | Perada Fukushima | Tohoku League D2 | Fukushima, Fukushima | Declined | Renamed to Fukushima United FC. Reapplied in June 2013 | |
| July 2007 | Fagiano Okayama | Chugoku League | All cities/towns in Okayama | Approved | 2008 | Promoted to J2. First club to be approved while in regional league. |
| January 2008 | New Wave Kitakyushu | JFL | Kitakyushu, Fukuoka | Approved | 2009 | Promoted to J2 as Giravanz Kitakyushu. |
| January 2008 | Kataller Toyama | JFL | Toyama, Toyama | Approved | 2008 | Promoted to J2. |
| January 2008 | FC Ryukyu | JFL | All cities/towns in Okinawa | Declined | Reapplied in January 2011 | |
| January 2009 | Machida Zelvia | JFL | Machida, Tokyo | Approved | 2011 | Promoted to J2. Relegated to JFL in 2012 and re-admitted to J3 in 2013. |
| January 2009 | V-Varen Nagasaki | JFL | All cities/towns in Nagasaki | Approved | 2012 | Promoted to J2. |
| January 2010 | Matsumoto Yamaga | JFL | Matsumoto, Nagano | Approved | 2011 | Promoted to J2. |
| January 2010 | SC Sagamihara | Kanagawa prefectural league D1 | Sagamihara, Kanagawa | Approved | 2013 | Admitted to J3. First club to be approved while in prefectural league. |
| April 2010 | Zweigen Kanazawa | JFL | Kanazawa, Ishikawa | Not accepted | Incomplete documentation. Reapplied in January 2011 | |
| December 2010 | Kamatamare Sanuki | JFL | All cities/towns in Kagawa | Approved | 2013 | Promoted to J2. |
| January 2011 | FC Ryukyu | JFL | All cities/towns in Okinawa | Declined | Further improvement needed. Reapplied in June 2013 | |
| January 2011 | Zweigen Kanazawa | JFL | Kanazawa, Ishikawa | Declined | Further improvement needed. Reapplied in November 2012 | |
| November 2011 | Nagano Parceiro | JFL | Nagano, Nagano | Approved | 2013 | Admitted to J3. |
| November 2012 | Zweigen Kanazawa | JFL | All cities/towns in Ishikawa | Approved | 2013 | Promoted to J2 in 2014 |
| November 2012 | Blaublitz Akita | JFL | All cities/towns in Akita | Approved | 2013 | Admitted to J3. |
| June 2013 | Veertien Kuwana | Mie prefectural league D2 | Kuwana, Mie | Not accepted | Incomplete documentation | |
| June 2013 | YSCC Yokohama | JFL | Yokohama, Kanagawa | Approved | 2013 | Admitted to J3. |
| June 2013 | Grulla Morioka | Tohoku League D1 | Morioka, Iwate | Approved | 2013 | Admitted to J3. Only associate member to be admitted directly from regional leagues, skipping JFL participation |
| June 2013 | Renofa Yamaguchi | Chūgoku League | All cities/towns in Yamaguchi | Approved | Promoted to J3 in 2014 and to J2 in 2015 | |
| June 2013 | Fukushima United | JFL | Fukushima, Fukushima | Approved | 2013 | Admitted to J3. |
| June 2013 | FC Ryukyu | JFL | All cities/towns in Okinawa | Approved | 2013 | Admitted to J3. |
| June 2013 | Fujieda MYFC | JFL | Fujieda, Shizuoka | Approved | 2013 | Admitted to J3. |
| June 2013 | Vanraure Hachinohe | Tohoku League D1 | Hachinohe, Aomori | Approved | Promoted to J3 in 2018 | |
| June 2013 | Tonan Maebashi | Kantō League | Maebashi, Gunma | Approved → Withdrawal | On July 30, 2019, the club left the J-League 100 Year Plan club status. | |
| June 2013 | Azul Claro Numazu | Tōkai League | Numazu, Shizuoka | Approved | Promoted to J3 in 2016 | |
| June 2013 | Nara Club | Kansai League D1 | Nara, Nara | Approved | ||
| June 2013 | MIO Biwako Shiga | JFL | Kusatsu, Shiga | Pending | Application transitioned to 100 Year Plan status | |
| June 2013 | Tochigi Uva | JFL | Tochigi, Tochigi | Pending | Application transitioned to 100 Year Plan status; the status was granted in May 2014 | |
| June 2013 | Suzuka Rampole | Tōkai League | Suzuka, Mie | Pending | Application transitioned to 100 Year Plan status |
† Listed is the league the club participated at the time of application, not necessary the league that the club currently belongs to.
100 Year Plan status (since 2014)
For a short time after the establishment of J3 League in 2014, the league designated J3 clubs as "associate members," as opposed to "full members" of J1 and J2. In order to avoid confusion with associate membership system for future participants, it was decided to change the name of the latter status to "100 Year Plan" status. The J.League later abolished the associate membership naming for J3 clubs, but the new name for future members remained.Participation criteria
The criteria for the 100 Year Plan status are largely similar to associate membership of the past, though they are generally more relaxed because of less strict regulations for J3 participation in comparison with J2. Below are the criteria for the 2014 season.;Club organization
- Must be organized as a public corporation or NPO solely devoted to football and exist in this status for no less than one year
- *The majority of the shares or stock must be Japanese owned
- Must employ at least four administrative employees, one of whom must have managerial position
- Must have proper payroll system according to Japanese law
- Must have proper financial management and conduct annual tax audit
- Must hold intellectual rights for the club name, logo, and all associated trademarks
- Must be approved by respective Prefectural Football Association
- Must be approved by the hometown government in writing
- Home stadium must be located in the proposed hometown
- Must secure training facilities within the proposed hometown
- Must currently play in JFL, Regional League, or Prefectural League
- Must aim for eventual admission to J.League
- Must have a working soccer school/youth system that exists for no less than one year
Criteria for J3 promotion
- Must hold a 100 Year Plan status
- Must have a stadium that complies with J3 standards and passes the league examination
- Must pass a J3 licensing examination by the league
- Must finish within top four of JFL, and either 1st or 2nd among other 100 Year Plan holders
- Must have average attendance of home games no less than 2,000 spectators, with significant effort demonstrated to reach 3,000
- Must have annual revenue of at least ¥150 million, and no excessive debt
Application history
- Green – promoted to J.League
- Gold – current members
- Grey – membership declined
- White – application pending
| Applied | Club name | League† | Home town | Application results | Year admitted to J.League | Notes |
| June 2014 | Renofa Yamaguchi | Chūgoku League | All cities/towns in Yamaguchi | Approved | 2014 | Former associate member |
| June 2014 | Vanraure Hachinohe | Tohoku League D1 | Hachinohe, Aomori | Approved | 2018 | Former associate member |
| June 2014 | Azul Claro Numazu | Tōkai League | Numazu, Shizuoka | Approved | 2016 | Former associate member |
| June 2014 | Nara Club | Kansai League D1 | Nara, Nara | Approved | Former associate member | |
| June 2014 | Tochigi Uva | JFL | Tochigi, Tochigi | Approved | Application transitioned from associate membership | |
| June 2014 | MIO Biwako Shiga | JFL | Kusatsu, Shiga | Pending | Application transitioned from associate membership | |
| June 2014 | Suzuka Rampole | Tōkai League | Suzuka, Mie | Pending | Application transitioned from associate membership | |
| November 2014 | Kagoshima United | JFL | Kagoshima, Kagoshima | Approved | 2015 | |
| November 2015 | Tokyo Musashino City | JFL | Musashino, Tokyo | Approved | ||
| November 2015 | FC Imabari | Shikoku League | Imabari, Ehime | Approved | 2019 | |
| November 2018 | Tegevajaro Miyazaki | JFL | Miyazaki, Miyazaki | Approved | ||
| November 2018 | ReinMeer Aomori FC | JFL | Aomori, Aomori | Approved | ||
| November 2019 | FC Osaka | JFL | Higashiosaka, Osaka | Approved | ||
| November 2019 | Veertien Mie | JFL | Kuwana & Yokkaichi, Mie | Approved | ||
| November 2019 | Iwaki FC | JFL | Iwaki, Fukushima | Approved | ||
| December 2019 | Vonds Ichihara | Kantō League D1 | Ichihara, Chiba | Approved | ||
| December 2019 | Nankatsu SC | Tokyo League D1 | Katsushika, Tokyo | Approved |
† Listed is the league the club participated at the time of application, not necessary the league that the club currently belongs to.
;Current members
- Nara Club
- ReinMeer Aomori FC
- Tegevajaro Miyazaki
- Tochigi City
- Tokyo Musashino City
- FC Osaka
- Veertien Mie
- Iwaki FC
- Vonds Ichihara
- Nankatsu SC
- Azul Claro Numazu
- FC Imabari
- Kagoshima United
- Renofa Yamaguchi
- Tonan Maebashi
- Vanraure Hachinohe