Former Verdy Kawasaki (now Tokyo Verdy) manager Yasutaro Matsuki will return as the tournament ambassador for the MEIJI YASUDA 2016 J.League Championship.

The season-ending playoff will take place beginning in November, with the winners crowned champions of the J.League and awarded the right to represent Japan at the upcoming 2016 FIFA Club World Cup.

“It’s very much an honour to receive this appointment for a second straight year,” Matsuki said in a statement. 

“Kashima Antlers, Urawa Reds, and Kawasaki Frontale have already clinched their participation in the MEIJI YASUDA J.League Championship.

“I expect them to deliver even more exciting matches than we saw last year.

“I hope that the teams will fight with the desire to become champions and I want to put as much passion into supporting the tournament off the pitch as the players are giving on the pitch.”