is the Japanese fifth tier of league football, which is part of the Japanese Regional Leagues. It covers the five prefectures of the Chūgoku region; Tottori, Shimane, Okayama, Hiroshima and Yamaguchi. It is one of the nine Japanese Regional Leagues, the fifth league level in the Japanese association football league system.

History The league formed in 1973 with six teams from the Chūgoku region: Mazda Auto Hiroshima SC, Hiroshima Teachers, Mitsui Shipbuilding Soccer Club, Mitsubishi Oil, Mitsui Oil and Hitachi Works Kasado SC. The format was in a round-robin tournament with teams playing each other twice; once at home and once away. Winning teams earned two points, one point was given to each team in a draw, and losing teams earned no points. League position was determined by the number of points.

The following season, the number of teams increased to eight and generally stayed at that number for some time. However the Mitsui Oil team withdrew from the competition in 1975 because of an oil spill accident at their parent company, leaving the league with seven teams briefly. In the late 1980s, Kawasaki Seitetsu Mizushima SC and Mazda Auto Hiroshima SC achieved promotion to the then Japan Soccer League. Although Kawasaki Seitetsu Mizushima SC were able to avoid relegation back to the Chūgoku League, Mazda Auto Hiroshima SC were relegated the season following promotion twice.

In 1991 the league format changed, awarding three points for a league win, rather than just two.

From 1997 a penalty kick system was introduced so matches could be firmly decided instead of having a draw. If at the end of 90 minutes the game ends in a draw, a penalty shoot out is held. The winning team is awarded two points (instead of three) and the losing team is awarded one point (instead of zero).

In the 2000s, SC Tottori, Mitsubishi Motors Mizushima F.C. and Fagiano Okayama achieve promotion to the JFL.

From 2007 the penalty kick system ended, and standard regulation matches commenced. Teams played each other at home and away (each team would actually play 18 matches), and an appropriate method was decided in order to determine league placements should teams have the same number of points (highest goal difference, most goals for, the results of the respective teams matches). Based on those results, the top four teams would be split from the next four teams (5th to 8th). Teams would play in these smaller groups against each other once, meaning the final league result is based on 21 matches. Furthermore, this means that teams finishing 9th or 10th will not be able to have the chance at promotion after the initial 18 matches, should they situation arise.

Since 2008, the league has consisted of ten teams. In 2009, the two block split was abolished, and a traditional home and away league structure was introduced.

Regulations Just like the JFL, matches last for two 45 minute halves with no extra time. Winning teams receive 3 points, drawing teams receive one point, and losing teams receive no points.

League winners earn the right to represent the Chūgoku region at the Regional League promotion series, with the aim of promotion to the JFL. Depending on the year, two or more teams may also be invited.

2026 clubs Division 1 # Club Team Hometown Notes1SRC HiroshimaHiroshima, Hiroshima2Baleine ShimonosekiShimonoseki, Yamaguchi3Belugarosso IwamiHamada, Shimane4ENEOS Mizushima (ja)Kurashiki, OkayamaWon play-off match and stay in division5Fukuyama CityFukuyama City, Hiroshima6International Pacific Univ. FCHigashi-ku, Okayama City, Okayama7Mitsubishi Motors MizushimaKurashiki, Okayama8Miyajima United FC (ja)Hatsukaichi, HiroshimaName changed from "Hatsukaichi FC"9Valimore AkiHiroshimaPromoted (1st place in the final tournament of the Chugoku Regional Provincial League)10Yonago Genki SC (ja)Yonago, Tottori

Former clubs Tottori Prefecture Yonago SC SC Tottori (Tottori Teachers) Tottori Kickers Football Club Genki Soccer Club SC Tottori Dreams Banmel Tottori (ja) Shimane Prefecture Dezzolla Shimane Masuda Club Iwami F.C. SC MatsueOkayama Prefecture Fagiano Okayama Next Mitsui Shipbuilding Soccer Club Mitsui Oil Kawasaki Seitetsu Mizushima SC Okayama Teachers FC Fagiano Okayama JX Nippon Oil & Energy Mizushima F.C. Yamaguchi Prefecture FC Ube Yahhh-Man Tanabe Mitsubishi Renofa Yamaguchi F.C. Hitachi Works Kasado SCHiroshima Prefecture Hiroshima City Hall Yamakou FC Nisshin Steel Kure Hiroshima FC Ẽfini Hiroshima S.C. (Mazda Auto Hiroshima SC) Fujifilm BIJ Hiroshima Hiroshima Fujita SC Matsuda SC Sanfrecce Hiroshima (Youth team) MTO Fukuyama FC (JFE Steel West Japan)

Promotion and relegation

Promotion from the Chūgoku Soccer League Basically, for the league champions to be promoted to a higher league, it is necessary to compete in a specified national tournament. Up until and including the 1976 season, the All Japan Senior Football Championship was used in which the winner and runner-up played off in a promotion and relegation series against the bottom two clubs of the JSL. However, from 1977 the Regional League promotion series became the tournament of choice. The following teams have achieved promotion from the Chūgoku Soccer League.

JSL 2 (1973 - 1991) 1985：Kawasaki Seitetsu Mizushima SC 1986：Mazda Auto Hiroshima SC (Relegated in 1987) 1988：Mazda Auto Hiroshima SC (Relegated in 1989) JFL (1999–Present) 2000：SC Tottori 2004：Mitsubishi Motors Mizushima F.C. 2007：Fagiano Okayama 2013 : Fagiano Okayama Next, Renofa Yamaguchi F.C.

Promotion from Prefectural Leagues The top two teams from each of the five prefectural leagues in the Chūgoku region meet in a promotional tournament. Teams are split into two blocks, with the block winners being promoted to the Chūgoku Soccer League. However, owing to which teams are promoted to and relegated from the JFL, there is a possibility that the number of promotions from the Prefectural leagues will change.

Relegation to the Prefectural Leagues The two teams positioned 9th and 10th at the end of the season are relegated to their local Prefectural League.

Final league positions Teams in blue participated in the National Promotional Tournament, with bold teams achieving promotion.

1973 to 1987 Year Teams 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Notes119736Mazda Auto Hiroshima SCHiroshima TeachersMitsui Shipbuilding S.C.Mitsubishi Oil MizushimaMitsui OilHitachi Works Kasado SC-6 teams1219748Hiroshima Fujita SCMitsui Shipbuilding S.C.Hiroshima TeachersMazda Auto Hiroshima SCMitsubishi Oil MizushimaNihon SeikoukureHitachi Works Kasado SCMitsui OilIncrease to 8 teams2319757Hiroshima Fujita SCMitsui Shipbuilding S.C.Hiroshima TeachersNihon SeikoukureHitachi Works Kasado SCMazda Auto Hiroshima SCMasuda Club-Mitsui Oil withdraws3419768Hiroshima Fujita SCMitsui Shipbuilding S.C.Mitsubishi Oil MizushimaMazda Auto Hiroshima SCMasuda ClubHiroshima TeachersNihon SeikoukureHitachi Works Kasado SC4519778Mitsui Shipbuilding S.C.Mazda Auto Hiroshima SCMitsubishi Oil MizushimaHiroshima Fujita SCMasuda ClubTanabe MitsubishiNihon SeikoukureHiroshima Teachers5619788Mazda Auto Hiroshima SCMitsui Shipbuilding S.C.Tanabe MitsubishiMitsubishi Oil MizushimaKawasaki Seitetsu Mizushima SCHitachi Works Kasado SCHiroshima Fujita SCMasuda Club6719798Mazda Auto Hiroshima SCMitsubishi Oil MizushimaKawasaki Seitetsu Mizushima SCMitsui Shipbuilding S.C.Tanabe MitsubishiMitsubishi Motors Mizushima F.C.Hitachi Works Kasado SCMatsue City Football Club7819808Kawasaki Seitetsu Mizushima SCMasuda ClubTanabe MitsubishiMitsui Shipbuilding S.C.Mazda Auto Hiroshima SCYamaguchi TeachersMitsubishi Motors Mizushima F.C.Mitsubishi Oil Mizushima8919818Kawasaki Seitetsu Mizushima SCMitsubishi Oil MizushimaMazda Auto Hiroshima SCMasuda ClubMitsui Shipbuilding S.C.Tanabe MitsubishiYamaguchi TeachersMitsubishi Motors Mizushima F.C.81019828Kawasaki Seitetsu Mizushima SCYamaguchi TeachersMitsubishi Oil MizushimaMazda Auto Hiroshima SCTanabe MitsubishiHitachi Works Kasado SCMasuda ClubMitsui Shipbuilding S.C.101119838Mazda Auto Hiroshima SCYamaguchi TeachersKawasaki Seitetsu Mizushima SCTanabe MitsubishiMitsubishi Oil MizushimaMitsui Shipbuilding S.C.Hitachi Works Kasado SCMasuda Club111219848Kawasaki Seitetsu Mizushima SCMazda Auto Hiroshima SCMitsubishi Oil MizushimaYamaguchi TeachersTanabe MitsubishiMitsui Shipbuilding S.C.Matsuda SCMasuda Club121319858Kawasaki Seitetsu Mizushima SCHiroshima TeachersMatsuda SCMazda Auto Hiroshima SCYamaguchi TeachersTanabe MitsubishiMitsui Shipbuilding S.C.Mitsubishi Oil Mizushima131419868Mazda Auto Hiroshima SCHiroshima TeachersYamaguchi TeachersMatsuda SCMitsubishi Oil MizushimaYonago FCMitsui Shipbuilding S.C.Tanabe Mitsubishi141519877Matsuda SCHiroshima TeachersYamaguchi TeachersYonago FCMitsubishi Oil MizushimaTottori TeachersTanabe Mitsubishi-15

1988 to 2002 Year Teams 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Notes1619889Mazda Auto Hiroshima SCMatsuda SCYamaguchi TeachersHiroshima Fujita SCHiroshima TeachersYonago FCTottori TeachersMitsubishi Oil MizushimaHiroshima City Hall161719897Matsuda SCYamaguchi TeachersHiroshima Fujita SCOkayama Teachers FCHiroshima TeachersMitsubishi Oil MizushimaYonago FC-171819909Matsuda SCMazda Auto Hiroshima SCMitsubishi Motors Mizushima F.C.Yamaguchi TeachersHiroshima TeachersHiroshima Fujita SCOkayama Teachers FCMitsubishi Oil MizushimaYonago FC181919918Matsuda SCNTN Okayama S.C.Mitsubishi Motors Mizushima F.C.Yamaguchi TeachersẼfini Hiroshima S.C.Hiroshima TeachersHiroshima Fujita SCSC Tottori-3 point win system introduced192019928Mitsubishi Motors Mizushima F.C.Ẽfini Hiroshima S.C.Matsuda SCHiroshima Fujita SCSC TottoriYamaguchi TeachersHiroshima TeachersNTN Okayama S.C.-202119938Matsuda SCMitsubishi Motors Mizushima F.C.Yamaguchi TeachersHiroshima Fujita SCẼfini Hiroshima S.C.NTN Okayama S.C.SC TottoriMasuda Club-212219948Matsuda SCMitsubishi Motors Mizushima F.C.NTN Okayama S.C.Ẽfini Hiroshima S.C.Hiroshima Fujita SCYamaguchi TeachersSC TottoriMasuda Club-222319958Hiroshima Fujita SCMitsubishi Motors Mizushima F.C.Matsuda SCYamakou FCMitsubishi Oil MizushimaẼfini Hiroshima S.C.NTN Okayama S.C.Yamaguchi Teachers-232419968Matsuda SCHiroshima Fujita SCMitsubishi Motors Mizushima F.C.Hiroshima TeachersMitsubishi Oil MizushimaYamaguchi TeachersẼfini Hiroshima S.C.Yamakou FC-242519978Matsuda SCMitsubishi Oil MizushimaHiroshima Fujita SCMitsubishi Motors Mizushima F.C.Yamakou FCHiroshima TeachersNKK FukuyamaYamaguchi Teachers-Penalty kick system introduced252619988Matsuda SCHiroshima Fujita SCMitsubishi Motors Mizushima F.C.Hiroshima TeachersMitsubishi Oil MizushimaNKK FukuyamaYamakou FCSC Tottori-262719998Mitsubishi Motors Mizushima F.C.Hiroshima Fujita SCMatsuda SCHiroshima TeachersNisseki Mitsubishi MizushimaSC TottoriNKK FukuyamaYamakou FC-272820008SC TottoriMitsubishi Motors Mizushima F.C.Hiroshima TeachersHiroshima Fujita SCYamaguchi TeachersNisshin Steel KureMatsuda SCNisseki Mitsubishi Mizushima-282920017Hiroshima FCMitsubishi Motors Mizushima F.C.Hiroshima Fujita SCHiroshima TeachersMatsuda SCNisshin Steel KureYamaguchi Teachers-293020028Mitsubishi Motors Mizushima F.C.Hiroshima Fujita SCHiroshima FCYamaguchi TeachersIwami FCMatsuda SCHiroshima TeachersNisshin Steel Kure-30

2003 to 2017