 In the penultimate week of the season, Yokohama clinched the championship and promotion.Heading into the final matchday, Kobe sat in 2nd, one point ahead of Kashiwa, and it appeared that Kashiwa would have to settle for the playoff series for the third year running.However, on the final day of the season, Kashiwa won and clinched the runners-up spot after Kobe fell down to third place by losing the last match.