At the end of the season, top three clubs received automatic qualification to the following years' AFC Champions League.
Also starting this season, the bottom three clubs were relegated to J.League Division 2 by default.
Kashima Antlers became the first Japanese club win J.League Division 1 in three straight seasons.
Eighteen clubs will play in double round-robin (home and away) format, a total of 34 games each.
The clubs are ranked by points, and tie breakers are, in the following order: A draw would be conducted, if necessary.