 From 2009, direct promotion and relegation will be in place for three clubs of each division.The "irekae-sen" concept is not new; it was a feature of the original Japan Soccer League, when, until 1980, it was usual that the bottom two team(s) in the First Division played off against the winner and runner-up of the All Japan Senior Football Championship and, after 1972, the Second Division's top two.After 1980 only the second-from-bottom team played against the Second Division runner-up.