J.League 100 Year Plan club status, is a status given to Japanese non-league football clubs. The applicant must have an intention to become a professional club and to join the professional league, J.League, that governs the top three levels of the Japanese football pyramid. Usually clubs from the fourth level, Japan Football League, which is the top tier for amateur clubs, apply for the status; however, it is open for all amateur clubs down to prefectural leagues. The applications are reviewed and inspected by a committee formed by the league. From the 2014 to 2022 seasons, the associate membership was the main criteria for J3 promotion. The system allows the League to identify such clubs, to provide necessary resources/advice, and to ease the transition to professionalism.
Former associate membership systems
1993–1998
Originally, when the professional league was formed in 1993 with ten clubs, the league's intention was to keep the number of clubs to 10 for at least two to three years, and then gradually increase the roster to 16 by adding a club or two in year-to-year basis. However, the league had underestimated the demands; there were far more clubs seeking top-flight football then the league have anticipated. Thus, the league adopted associate membership system for the clubs in then the second-tier Japan Football League. Just like the current system, associate clubs finishing in the top two were allowed to be promoted to the league, given that they have passed the final inspection by the league. Associate members also had the right to participate in Yamazaki Nabisco Cup games and reserve league games.
This system was abolished in 1998 with the establishment of J.League Division 2 and the dissolution of the old JFL. Three remaining associate members were admitted to the J2 and Honda FC decided to maintain amateur status and joined the newly created JFL.
2006–2013
After its establishment in 1999, J.League Division 2 became the frontier of J.League expansion, feeding from the simultaneously established Japan Football League. In their first seven years of co-existence, every club that applied for promotion was individually examined by the league. Five teams were promoted this way, but as the number of applicants increased over time, in October 2005 the JFA initiated the establishment of the new association membership system in order to provide an incentive for amateur clubs to obtain a sound economical and business basis necessary to J.League membership.
The criteria for such membership were developed by joint JFA–J.League committee in early 2006. They covered various aspects of the club development, with the particular stress on organizational stability, adequate infrastructure, and support from the local government, sponsors, and community. Unlike the previous system, this membership has been targeted not only to JFL clubs, but to all amateurs club in the football pyramid, including regional and prefectural leagues.
Below is a list of criteria for associate membership in their last edition of September 1, 2012.
Club organization
Must be organized as a public corporation or NPO solely devoted to football. Company and university clubs do not qualify At least half of the shares of stock must be Japanese ownership Must hire at least three administrative employees, one of which must be in a managerial position. Must have a proper payroll system in accordance with Japanese law. Must complete an annual tax audit. Must be financially feasible. (Note: The league recommends ¥1.5 million of capital by promotion to J2 and 5 million by the end of the third year in J2.) Must secure sponsorship of at least ¥1 million.
Home town
Must be approved by respective prefectural football association. Must be approved by the home town's government in writing.
Home stadium/training facility
It must have a capacity of at least 10,000 and a natural grass pitch (in lieu of this, the club must have plans to build a stadium with these minimum requirements). It must be located in the proposed hometown. It must have a press box and a conference room for pre- and post-match news conferences. The club must secure training facilities within the proposed hometown.
Others
The club must currently play in JFL, a regional league, or a prefectural league. The club must aim for admission to J.League. The club must have plans for a youth system.
The new associate membership system lasted for eight years and came to its logical finish after the number of J2 clubs reached 22 (the original target) in 2012 season. The next year saw the establishment of J3 League which incorporated most of the remaining associate members.