The 2016 MEIJI YASUDA J3 League season concluded on Sunday as Oita Trinita narrowly edged out Tochigi SC for the championship and automatic promotion to the J2 League.

Kazushi Mitsuhira’s brace gave the Kyushu side a 2-0 lead at Gainare Tottori, but goals from Tomoki Iwata and Yoshinori Suzuki were required to stave off a second-half fightback from the host, with the match eventually ending at 4-2.

A double from Tsugutoshi Oishi was not enough to get Tochigi past Gulla Morioka after Tokio Hatamoto equalised in the 68th minute. 

The result means the northern Kanto side will face Zweigen Kanazawa, who finished in 21st place in the J2, in a two-legged promotion-relegation play-off.