early stages. Level I: J1 League (18 clubs; 20 clubs from 2024) Asian qualification Currently, through the league games, the J. League champions, runners-up, and third-placed teams qualify for the AFC Champions League. The other means of qualification is the Emperor's Cup; however this also gives clubs below level I the possibility of qualification (if they hold a J1 and AFC club license). If one of the top three finishers also wins the Emperor's Cup title, the 4th-placed club receives the final qualification spot. Relegation (to J2) Until 2017 season, the bottom three clubs (16th, 17th and 18th) were automatically relegated to J2 League. Currently, the 17th and 18th positions will be automatically demoted, and the 16th position will be relegated when losing to the J2 team winner of the J1 promotion playoffs. For 2023, 18th position will be automatically relegated will back to 20 clubs from 2024 after expand in 2021 since COVID-19. Level II: J2 League (22 clubs; 20 clubs from 2024) Promotion (to J1) There are three promotion spots available to clubs in J2. The champions and runners-up receive automatic promotion, and the clubs finishing 3rd to 6th participate in playoffs for the remaining promotion spot. To be promoted, a club is obliged to meet all the criteria required for membership of Division 1, although no club in the past has been denied promotion for failing to meet the requirements. Relegation (to J3) Up to two of the top J3 clubs may be promoted to J2 if they have a J. League Associate Membership. Subsequently, up to two of the bottom J2 clubs might be relegated to J3. From 2024, three lower teams have been automatically relegated to J3. Level III: J3 League (20 clubs) Rules for promotion to J2 is largely similar to those of Japan Football League in the recent seasons: to be promoted, a club must hold a J2 license and finish in top 2 of the league. Until the 2016 season, the champions were promoted directly, in exchange with the 22nd-placed J2 club; and the runners-up participated in the playoffs with the 21st J2 club. Currently, the champions and runners-up receive automatic promotion. If either or both top 2 finishers are ineligible for promotion, the playoffs and/or direct exchange is not held in accordance to the exact positions of promotion-eligible clubs. Until 2022, there was no relegation system from J3 League other than