their place in the indirect round. Promotion (to J3) Clubs in the JFL must meet following criteria to receive promotion to the professional league. Have J. League Associate Membership Finish in the top two in JFL and be among promotion-eligible clubs Have an average attendance of more than 2,000 with a significant effort to achieve 3,000. Pass a final inspection by the J. League professional committee Relegation (to Regional Leagues) The number of relegated clubs varies from 1 to 2 depending on the outcome of a promotion/relegation series and/or the number of clubs disbanded. Depending on the number, the team ranked 16th at the end of the season is automatically relegated to its respective Regional League. The team ranked 15th has to contest that series to survive relegation. Clubs will be relegated to their designated Regional League (i.e. a club from Tokyo will be relegated to the Kanto League, even if the promoted club is not from the Kanto League). Level V/VI: 9 Japanese Regional Leagues In modern Japan, the country is divided into 9 different regions. From North to South they are Hokkaido, Touhoku, Kantou, Tokai, Hokushin-etsu (Hokuriku+Shin-etsu), Kansai, Shikoku, Chugoku, and Kyushu. Each region has its own football league, and they make up 9 parallel football leagues governed by designated regional FAs. The Hokkaido, Chugoku, Shikoku, and Kyushu Regional Leagues have only one division, whereas others have two divisions. On top of that, Touhoku Division 2 is divided into Division 2 North and Division 2 South. Because of differences in structure, each region has its own promotion and relegation regulations between the divisions. Aside from the Emperor's Cup, clubs at this level and the levels immediately below play in the All Japan Senior Football Championship (Shakaijin Cup), qualifying through prefectural cups. Some Regional Leagues may have their own League Cups as well (Kanto, Kansai). Promotion (to JFL) At the end of the season, the champions and certain runners-up from the 9 Regional Leagues qualify for the Japan Regional Football Champions League. The winners of the tournament receive promotion to the JFL. The runners-up may either contest a promotion/relegation series match against the JFL club ranked 15th or receive direct promotion depending on whether any clubs have been disbanded. Relegation (to ) Different regulations for each Regional League. Level VII+: 46 Prefectural Leagues & Hokkaido Blocks Under the 9 regions, there are 47 prefectures. Hokkaido is by itself as