After having another team (Sagawa Shiga) ceasing its operations and withdrawing after the season, the league has welcomed into its ranks two newcomers, SC Sagamihara and Fukushima United.
League promotion, with Sagamihara holding the associate membership status, and Fukushima having applied for it in 2007, though unsuccessfully.
League associate members V-Varen Nagasaki were promoted at the expense of Machida Zelvia, who returned to JFL after only a single season in J2.
Tochigi Uva were on the brink of relegation, as their play-off series against Norbritz Hokkaido was tied after two rounds.
League board session on 16 September, when applications of Fukushima United, FC Ryukyu and Fujieda MYFC were approved.