Japan’s third division, the MEIJI YASUDA J3 League, kicked off its second season on Sunday.

The league features 13 teams, one of which is the Japanese Under-22 national team selection.

Amongst the teams playing the six fixtures was new club Renofa Yamaguchi FC, the only new club admitted to J.League in 2015.

They played their first home game at Ishin Memorial Park Stadium in front of more than 7,000 spectators, and defeated Gainare Tottori 2-1.

The league finishes on 23rd November after 39 rounds, with the top two teams holding a MEIJI YASUDA J2 League license eligible to earn promotion to the next tier.

The MEIJI YASUDA J3 League winner automatically gains promotion at the expense of the last-placed MEIJI YASUDA J2 League side, while the MEIJI YASUDA J3 League runners’ up while battle the 21st-placed MEIJI YASUDA J2 League side in a promotion/relegation playoff.

If either or both top two MEIJI YASUDA J3 League finishers are ineligible for promotion, the promotion/relegation process will be suspended in accordance to the exact positions of promotion-eligible clubs.

The Japan U-22 side is not eligible to gain promotion regardless of their finishing berth.