Japan American Football

American Football was first introduced to Japan in the 1930s, although it was not until after WWII, that it was played competitvely, with the Rice Bowl, Japan’s version of the Super Bowl, being played between the Universities since 1947, and since 1984 between the University Champions and the Social Champions (Business League – currently X-League).

There is also a third League in Japan, which is the Private Club League, opening up American Football to non-students and non-Corporate Workers. The JPFF (Japan Private Football Association) organises the Ocean Bowl between the JPFF East and JPFF West Champions. It is included in Social Championships.

Japan Bowls

Friendship Bowl; Rice Bowl

International Bowls

The Spring League v Japan National Team 2020

Tomodachi Bowl Japan v USA Friendship Bowl 2016-2019

Japan Rice Bowl (Universities v Social Champions):

Japan American Football Association Rice Bowl (Social v Student Era) 1984-2020

Picture Credit: D. Young / Shutterstock (2010) DUSSELDORF, GERMANY – APRIL 24: The 1st German Japan Bowl. The action that lead to Japans last touch-down gathers momentum. On April 24, 2010 in Dusseldorf, Germany [Accessed 4 May 2021]

Japan American Football Association Social Championships

The Japan X-League is the highest level of American Football in Japan. From 1984 to 2020 the X-League Champions played for the Rice Bowl with the University Champions. since 2021 the Rice Bowl is in sole ownership of the X-League after 11 X-League victories in a row. The X-League is divided into X1 Super (Premier League), X1 Area (3 Regional League – Championship) and then below that X2 and X3 Leagues.

The JPFF (Japan Private Football Association) is the National or State Level League, with Leagues run on an East – West basis.

football team running thru football field

X-League

Japan X-League

Japan X-League (Social League)

Japan American Football Association | X-League 2017-2019

Japan X-League X1 Super (Seasons):

Japan X-League X1 Super 2022

76th Rice Bowl: TBD

Japan X-League X1 Super 2021

75th Rice Bowl: Fujitsu Frontiers 24 Panasonic Impulse 18

2020

JPFF Japan Private Football Association

Japan Private Football Association (JPFF )

Japan Private Football Association JPFF All Japan Championship Ocean Bowl 2011-Present

Regional Adult American Football Championships

Kizuna Bowl (North Japan – Hokkaido v Tohoku) American Football Championship 2011-Present

Hokkaido Adult American Football Association (HAFA)

Hokkaido Adult American Football Association All-Star Lilac Bowl 2013-2018

HAFF North Laundry League (Seasons): 2020

Photo by Joe Calomeni on Pexels.com

X-League

Japan X-League

Japan X-League X1 Super (2021-2022)

Nojima Sagamihara Rise

Obic Seagulls

Panasonic Impulse

Tokyo Gas Creators

Japan X-League X1 Super (Promoted for 2022)

Asahi Beer Silver Star

Asahi Soft Drinks Challengers

Otonari Fukuoka Suns

Tainai Deers

Japan American Football Association University Championships

The Universities played for the Rice Bowl from 1947 when the introduction of American Football to Japan took hold to 1979.

From 1980 to 2020 the University Champions contested the Rice Bowl with the Social Champions (now the X-League) and from 2021 onwards the University Champions no longer compete for the Rice Bowl.

The University Championship Game is called the Koshien Bowl, with Regional Bowl Games as a Qualifier.