2012 Japan Football League

League associate members,[3] though they are not eligible for promotion until the completion of the renovation of their home stadium which is expected in 2016.

[5] Because of withdrawals by Arte Takasaki and Sagawa Shiga, no clubs will be relegated automatically as of the end of the season.

V-Varen Nagasaki were automatically promoted to J2 while Machida Zelvia became the first ever team to be relegated from J.

Third-placed Norbritz Hokkaido faced Tochigi Uva in a playoff series.

After two games, the series were tied 2–2, but Tochigi Uva won the penalty shootout 4–1, retaining their spot in JFL for the 2013 season.