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Sanfrecce Hiroshima won another J. League title, raising its total league titles to seven. Yokohama F. Marinos led the campaign in the latter half of the seasons, only to lose the last two matches to Albirex Niigata and Kawasaki Frontale respectively, thus settling for second place. Frontale won third place as a result of their victory, qualifying for the AFC Champions League for the first time since 2009.
Oita Trinita, who had been promoted via the playoffs as sixth place, showed their poor preparation throughout the campaign and ended in bottom place. Júbilo Iwata was relegated as well after 20 seasons in Division 1, while Shonan Bellmare, who had been promoted with them in 1994 and was making a cameo appearance, went down with them as well.
Updated to match(es) played on 7 December 2013. Source: J.League Division 1 Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored. (C) Champions; (R) Relegated Notes:
^The winners of the 2013 Emperor's Cup qualify for the group stage of the 2014 AFC Champions League. As the Emperor's Cup winners were Yokohama F. Marinos, who had already qualified to ACL through the championship, the remaining spot was awarded to the fourth-placed team.
Kansai rivals Gamba Osaka and Vissel Kobe, having been both relegated from Division 1 in the previous season, contested a fierce battle for the second tier title, and Gamba was ultimately victorious. The playoffs were won by Tokushima Vortis, which overcame Kyoto Sanga at Kokuritsu to become the first Shikoku football club to compete in the top Japanese division.
FC Gifu was in bottom place for most of the season before a short burst of rejuvenation in the final weeks allowed them to climb above Gainare Tottori, who was left to face the playout against Kamatamare Sanuki, in what turned out to be their last season in the second tier.
Updated to match(es) played on 8 December 2013. Source: J.League Division 2 Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored. (C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated Notes:
^Only teams that meet J1 criteria can participate in promotion playoffs. If one or more teams fail to meet the criteria, only eligible teams that finished 3rd to 6th participate and no replacement teams are added.
In spite of leading the table for most of the season, Kamatamare Sanuki slipped and was overtaken by Nagano Parceiro to the title. However, because Nagano did not fulfill the J2 stadium requirements, Sanuki was allowed to playoff against Tottori and won.
This was the last season of the JFL as the third tier of Japanese football, as a new J. League Division 3 will take its place. No club was relegated to the Regional Leagues.
Updated to match(es) played on 8 December 2013. Source: Japan Football League Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal differential; 3) Goals scored; 4) Head-to-head results; 5) Disciplinary points; 6) draw. If two clubs were tied for first place, both clubs would be declared champions. (C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners; (P) Promoted Notes:
^Kamatamare Sanuki topped the table at the end of the 17th round and thus were awarded JFL seed for 2013 Emperor's Cup.[1]
^Direct promotion and pro/rele series took place only if there were promotion-eligible teams (shown in bold) that claimed either of two top spots in JFL.
Tōhoku champions Grulla Morioka won the Regional Promotion Series, and owing to meeting J. League Associate Membership requirements, they were allowed to be promoted to the new Division 3 instead of the fourth-tier JFL, which the other three finalists joined.