The Japanese J2 League, also known as the Meiji Yasuda J2 League due to sponsorship reasons, is the second division of professional soccer in Japan. It was established in 1999 and has since become a crucial stepping stone for teams aspiring to reach the top-flight J1 League. The league consists of 22 teams, each competing in a home-and-away format over the course of a season. Notable successful teams in the J2 League include Kyoto Sanga FC, Ventforet Kofu, and Yokohama FC. Interestingly, the J2 League has seen several teams achieve promotion to the J1 League in their debut season, showcasing the competitiveness and unpredictability of the competition.