{{Short description|24th season of J1 League}} {{Infobox football league season | competition = Meiji Yasuda J1 League | winners = [[Kashima Antlers]]<br>8th J.League title<br>8th [[List of Japanese football champions|Japanese title]] | relegated = [[Nagoya Grampus]]<br>[[Shonan Bellmare]]<br>[[Avispa Fukuoka]] | continentalcup1 = [[2017 AFC Champions League|AFC Champions League]] | continentalcup1 qualifiers = [[Kashima Antlers]]<br>[[Urawa Red Diamonds]]<br>[[Kawasaki Frontale]]<br>[[Gamba Osaka]] | continentalcup2 = [[2016 FIFA Club World Cup|Club World Cup]] | continentalcup2 qualifiers = [[Kashima Antlers]] | matches = 306 | total goals = 805 | league topscorer = [[Leandro (footballer, born February 1985)|Leandro]] ([[Vissel Kobe]])<br>[[Peter Utaka]] ([[Sanfrecce Hiroshima]])<br>(19 goals each) | highest attendance = 59,837<br>[[Urawa Red Diamonds|Urawa]] vs [[Kashima Antlers|Kashima]]<br>(3 December) | lowest attendance = 5,870<br>[[Avispa Fukuoka|Fukuoka]] vs [[Nagoya Grampus|Nagoya]]<br>(2 July) | average attendance = 17,968 | prevseason = [[2015 J1 League|2015]] | nextseason = [[2017 J1 League|2017]] | updated = 3 November 2016 | season = 2016 }}

The '''2016 [[Meiji Yasuda Life|Meiji Yasuda]] [[J1 League]]''' (2016 明治安田生命J1リーグ) season was the 51st season of top-flight football in Japan and the 24th since the establishment of the [[J.League]] in 1992. This was second season of J1 League as renamed from J. League Division 1.

This season was the second since J.League changed its competition format to a newly conceived multistage system, with the year split into two halves and a third and final championship stage. The winners of the first and second stages and the highest ranking club of the aggregate table (other than the first or second stage winners) qualified for the [[J.League Championship|Championship Stage]]. [[Kashima Antlers]], the winner of the championship stage, advanced to the [[2016 FIFA Club World Cup]] as the host nation's entrant.

==Clubs== {{location map+ |Japan |float=right |width=450 |caption=Locations of the 2016 J1 League teams |places= {{location map~ |Japan |lat=37.882686 |long=139.059288 |label=<div style="white-space:nowrap;font-size:80%;position:relative;bottom:4px">[[Albirex Niigata]]</div> |position=bottom |mark=Arrows 12x12 n.svg }} {{location map~ |Japan |lat=33.585803 |long=130.461066 |label=<div style="white-space:nowrap;font-size:80%;position:relative;right:3px">[[Avispa Fukuoka]]</div> |position=top |mark=Arrows 12x12 s.svg }} {{location map~ |Japan |lat=35.664257 |long=139.657137 |label=<div style="white-space:nowrap;font-size:80%;position:relative;top:6px">'''Greater Tokyo Area<small>†</small>'''</div> |position=top |mark=Arrows 12x12 s.svg }} {{location map~ |Japan |lat=34.725327 |long=137.874906 |label=<div style="white-space:nowrap;font-size:80%;position:relative;bottom:4px;right:-8px">[[Júbilo Iwata]]</div> |position=bottom |mark=Arrows 12x12 n.svg }} {{location map~ |Japan |lat=34.810350 |long=135.542732 |label=<div style="white-space:nowrap;font-size:80%;position:relative;bottom:4px">'''Keihanshin Area<small>‡</small>'''</div> |position=bottom |mark=Arrows 12x12 n.svg }} {{location map~ |Japan |lat=35.084471 |long=137.170891 |label=<div style="white-space:nowrap;font-size:80%;position:relative">[[Nagoya Grampus]]</div> |position=left |mark=Arrows 12x12 e.svg }} {{location map~ |Japan |lat=33.371683 |long=130.520236 |label=<div style="white-space:nowrap;font-size:80%;position:relative;top:4px">[[Sagan Tosu]]</div> |position=bottom |mark=Arrows 12x12 n.svg }} {{location map~ |Japan |lat=34.440781 |long=132.394287 |label=<div style="white-space:nowrap;font-size:80%;position:relative;top:4px;left:-20px">[[Sanfrecce Hiroshima]]</div> |position=top |mark=Arrows 12x12 s.svg }} {{location map~ |Japan |lat=38.319143 |long=140.881780 |label=<div style="white-space:nowrap;font-size:80%;position:relative;top:6px">[[Vegalta Sendai]]</div> |position=right |mark=Arrows 12x12 w.svg }} {{location map~ |Japan |lat=35.991744 |long=140.640525 |label=<div style="white-space:nowrap;font-size:80%;position:relative;bottom:6px">[[Kashima Antlers]]</div> |position=right |mark=Arrows 12x12 w.svg }} {{location map~ |Japan |lat=35.622376 |long=138.589756 |label_size=80|label=<div style="position:relative">[[Ventforet Kofu]]</div> |position=left |mark=Arrows 12x12 e.svg }}

{{Location map~ |Japan |mark=TransparentPlaceholder.svg |marksize=1 |lat=45 |long=128.3 |label_size=80|label='''† [[Greater Tokyo Area|Greater Tokyo]] teams''' {{ubl|[[FC Tokyo]]|[[Kashiwa Reysol]]|[[Kawasaki Frontale]]|[[RB Omiya Ardija|Omiya Ardija]]|[[Shonan Bellmare]]|[[Urawa Red Diamonds]]|[[Yokohama F. Marinos]]}}|position=right}}

{{Location map~ |Japan |mark=TransparentPlaceholder.svg |marksize=1 |lat=45 |long=135 |label_size=80|label='''‡ [[Keihanshin]] teams''' {{ubl|[[Gamba Osaka]]|[[Vissel Kobe]]}}|position=right}}

}} {|class="wikitable sortable" |- !Club name !Home town(s) !Stadium !Capacity !Note(s) |- | [[Albirex Niigata]] | [[Niigata (city)|Niigata City]] & [[Seirō, Niigata]] | [[Denka Big Swan Stadium]] | 42,300 | 15th in 2015 |- | [[Avispa Fukuoka]] | [[Fukuoka|Fukuoka City]], [[Fukuoka Prefecture|Fukuoka]] | [[Best Denki Stadium|Level-5 Stadium]] | 22,563 | Promoted from [[J2 League]] in [[2015 J2 League|2015]] (through a play-off system) |- | [[FC Tokyo]] | [[Tokyo]] | [[Ajinomoto Stadium]] | 49,970 | [[2016 AFC Champions League]] participant (as [[2015 J1 League]] fourth-placed team) |- | [[Gamba Osaka]] | Northern [[Osaka Prefecture]]{{efn|[[Suita]], [[Ibaraki, Osaka|Ibaraki]], [[Takatsuki]], Toyonaka, Ikeda, Settsu, Minoh}} | [[Suita City Football Stadium]] | 40,000 | 2016 AFC Champions League participant (as 2015 J1 League third-placed team and [[2015 Emperor's Cup|Emperor's Cup]] winners) |- | [[Júbilo Iwata]] | [[Iwata, Shizuoka]] | [[Yamaha Stadium]] | 15,165 | Promoted from J2 League in 2015 |- | [[Kashima Antlers]] | Southeast [[Ibaraki Prefecture]]{{efn|[[Kashima, Ibaraki|Kashima]], [[Kamisu]], [[Itako, Ibaraki|Itako]], [[Hokota, Ibaraki|Hokota]], [[Namegata]]}} | [[Kashima Soccer Stadium]] | 40,728 | 5th in 2015 |- | [[Kashiwa Reysol]] | [[Kashiwa, Chiba]] | [[Sankyo Frontier Kashiwa Stadium|Kashiwa Soccer Stadium]] | 15,900 | 10th in 2015 |- | [[Kawasaki Frontale]] | [[Kawasaki, Kanagawa]] | [[Uvance Todoroki Stadium by Fujitsu|Todoroki Athletics Stadium]] | 26,232 | 6th in 2015 |- | [[Nagoya Grampus]] | All [[Aichi Prefecture]]{{efn|centering on [[Nagoya]], [[Toyota, Aichi|Toyota]], [[Miyoshi, Aichi|Miyoshi]]}} | [[Paloma Mizuho Stadium]] | 27,000 | 9th in 2015 |- | [[RB Omiya Ardija|Omiya Ardija]] | [[Saitama (city)|Saitama City]], [[Saitama Prefecture|Saitama]] | [[NACK5 Stadium Omiya|NACK5 Stadium]] | 15,500 | Promoted from J2 League in 2015 |- | [[Sagan Tosu]] | [[Tosu, Saga]] | [[Ekimae Real Estate Stadium|Tosu Stadium]] | 24,490 | 11th in 2015 |- | [[Sanfrecce Hiroshima]] | [[Hiroshima|Hiroshima City]], [[Hiroshima Prefecture|Hiroshima]] | [[Hiroshima Big Arch]] | 50,000 | [[2016 AFC Champions League]] participant (as 2015 J1 League winners) |- | [[Shonan Bellmare]] | [[Shōnan]] part of [[Kanagawa Prefecture|Kanagawa]]{{efn|[[Hiratsuka]], Atsugi, Isehara, Odawara, Chigasaki, Hadano, Fujisawa, Ōiso, Samukawa, Ninomiya}} | [[Lemon Gas Stadium Hiratsuka|Shonan Stadium Hiratsuka]] | 18,500 | 8th in 2015 |- | [[Urawa Red Diamonds]] | [[Saitama (city)|Saitama City]], [[Saitama Prefecture|Saitama]] | [[Saitama Stadium 2002|Saitama Stadium]] | 63,700 | [[2016 AFC Champions League]] participant (as 2015 J1 League runners-up) |- | [[Vegalta Sendai]] | [[Sendai]], [[Miyagi Prefecture|Miyagi]] | [[Yurtec Stadium Sendai|Yurtec Stadium]] | 19,694 | 14th in 2015 |- | [[Ventforet Kofu]] | All [[Yamanashi Prefecture]]{{efn|centering on [[Kōfu]] and [[Nirasaki, Yamanashi|Nirasaki]]}} | [[JIT Recycle Ink Stadium|Yamanashi Chuo Bank Stadium]] | 17,000 | 13th in 2015 |- | [[Vissel Kobe]] | [[Kobe]], [[Hyōgo Prefecture|Hyōgo]] | [[Noevir Stadium Kobe|Misaki Park Stadium]] | 30,132 | 12th in 2015 |- | [[Yokohama F. Marinos]] | [[Yokohama]] & [[Yokosuka|Yokosuka, Kanagawa]] | [[Nissan Stadium (Yokohama)|Nissan Stadium]] | 72,327 | 7th in 2015 |} {{notelist}}

===Personnel and kits=== {|class="wikitable sortable" |- !Club name !Head coach !Kit manufacturer !Front shirt sponsor |- | [[Albirex Niigata]] | {{flagicon|Japan}} [[Tatsuma Yoshida]] | [[Adidas]] | HAPPY Turn's |- | [[Avispa Fukuoka]] | {{flagicon|Japan}} [[Masami Ihara]] | [[Athleta (company)|Athleta]] | Fukuoka Jisho |- | [[FC Tokyo]] | {{flagicon|Japan}} [[Yoshiyuki Shinoda]] | [[Umbro]] | [[Tokyo Gas|Lifeval]] |- | [[Gamba Osaka]] | {{flagicon|Japan}} [[Kenta Hasegawa]] | Umbro | [[Panasonic]] |- | [[Júbilo Iwata]] | {{flagicon|Japan}} [[Hiroshi Nanami]] | [[Puma (brand)|Puma]] | [[Yamaha Corporation|Yamaha]] |- | [[Kashima Antlers]] | {{flagicon|Japan}} [[Masatada Ishii]] | [[Nike, Inc.|Nike]] | [[Lixil Group|Lixil]] |- | [[Kashiwa Reysol]] | {{flagicon|Japan}} [[Takahiro Shimotaira]] | [[Yonex]] | [[Hitachi]] |- | [[Kawasaki Frontale]] | {{flagicon|Japan}} [[Yahiro Kazama]] | Puma | [[Fujitsu]] (home)<br> Arrows (away) |- | [[Nagoya Grampus]] | {{flagicon|Macedonia}} [[Boško Gjurovski]] | [[Le Coq Sportif]] | [[Toyota]] |- | [[RB Omiya Ardija|Omiya Ardija]] | {{flagicon|Japan}} [[Hiroki Shibuya]] | [[Under Armour]] | Docomo Hikari |- | [[Sagan Tosu]] | {{flagicon|Italy}} [[Massimo Ficcadenti]] | [[New Balance]] | [[DHC Corporation|DHC]] |- | [[Sanfrecce Hiroshima]] | {{flagicon|Japan}} [[Hajime Moriyasu]] | Nike | [[EDION Corporation|EDION]] |- | [[Shonan Bellmare]] | {{flagicon|South Korea}} [[Cho Kwi-jae]] | [[Penalty (brand)|Penalty]] | Sanei Architecture Planning |- | [[Urawa Red Diamonds]] | {{flagicon|Serbia}} [[Mihailo Petrović (footballer)|Mihailo Petrović]] | Nike | Polus |- | [[Vegalta Sendai]] | {{flagicon|Japan}} [[Susumu Watanabe]] | Adidas | Iris Ohyama |- | [[Ventforet Kofu]] | {{flagicon|Japan}} [[Satoru Sakuma]] | [[Mizuno]] | Hakubaku |- | [[Vissel Kobe]] | {{flagicon|Brazil}} [[Nelsinho Baptista]] | [[Asics]] | [[Rakuten]] |- | [[Yokohama F. Marinos]] | {{flagicon|France}} [[Erick Mombaerts]] | Adidas | [[Nissan]] |}

===Managerial changes=== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- !Team !Outgoing manager !Date of separation !Manner of departure !Incoming manager !Date of announcement |- | Kashiwa Reysol | {{flagicon|JPN}} [[Tatsuma Yoshida]] | rowspan=3|End of 2015 season | Mutual consent<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blog.reysol.co.jp/news/2015/014055.html |title=来季新監督について ｜Reysol News |website=Blog.reysol.co.jp |access-date=2016-08-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151101234548/http://blog.reysol.co.jp/news/2015/014055.html |archive-date=2015-11-01 |url-status=dead }}</ref> | {{flagicon|BRA}} [[Milton Mendes]] | 30 October 2015 |- | Nagoya Grampus | {{flagicon|JPN}} [[Akira Nishino (footballer)|Akira Nishino]] | Mutual consent<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nagoya-grampus.jp/news/pressrelease/2015/1124gm2016gm.php |title=ニュース｜名古屋グランパス公式サイト |website=Nagoya-grampus.jp |access-date=2016-08-01}}</ref> | {{flagicon|JPN}} [[Takafumi Ogura]] | 24 November 2015 |- | Albirex Niigata | {{flagicon|JPN}} [[Masaaki Yanagishita]] | Mutual consent<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.albirex.co.jp/news/top_team/47594 |title=アルビレックス新潟 公式サイト – ALBIREX NIIGATA OFFICIAL WEBSITE |website=Albirex.co.jp |access-date=2016-08-01}}</ref> | {{flagicon|JPN}} [[Tatsuma Yoshida]] | 12 December 2015 |- |FC Tokyo |{{flagicon|ITA}} [[Massimo Ficcadenti]] |27 November 2015 |Signed by [[Sagan Tosu]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fctokyo.co.jp/?p=226792 |title=城福浩 氏 監督就任のお知らせ ｜ F.C.TOKYO |website=Fctokyo.co.jp |access-date=2016-08-01}}</ref> |{{flagicon|JPN}} [[Hiroshi Jofuku]] |28 December 2015 |- |Sagan Tosu |{{flagicon|JPN}} [[Hitoshi Morishita (footballer, born 1972)|Hitoshi Morishita]] |7 January 2016 |Contract terminated<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sagan-tosu.net/news/info.html?seq=911 |title=チームニュース- NEWS – サガン鳥栖 |website=Sagan-tosu.net |access-date=2016-08-01}}</ref> |{{flagicon|ITA}} [[Massimo Ficcadenti]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sagan-tosu.net/news/info.html?seq=912 |title=チームニュース- NEWS – サガン鳥栖 |website=Sagan-tosu.net |access-date=2016-08-01}}</ref> |7 January 2016 |- |Kashiwa Reysol |{{flagicon|BRA}} [[Milton Mendes]] |12 March 2016 |Resigned<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blog.reysol.co.jp/news/2016/014451.html |title=監督交代のお知らせ｜Reysol News |website=Blog.reysol.co.jp |access-date=2016-08-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160312135634/http://blog.reysol.co.jp/news/2016/014451.html |archive-date=2016-03-12 |url-status=dead }}</ref> |{{flagicon|JPN}} [[Takahiro Shimotaira]] |12 March 2016 |- |FC Tokyo |{{flagicon|JPN}} [[Hiroshi Jofuku]] |24 July 2016 |Sacked<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jleague.jp/en/news/article/6513/ |title=FC Tokyo dismiss manager Jofuku｜J.League News |website=Jleague.jp |date=2016-07-25 |access-date=2016-08-21}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jleague.jp/en/news/article/6539/ |title=Tokyo coach Shinoda appointed manager｜J.League News |website=Jleague.jp |date=2016-07-27 |access-date=2016-08-21}}</ref> |{{flagicon|JPN}} [[Yoshiyuki Shinoda]] |26 July 2016 |- |Nagoya Grampus |{{flagicon|JPN}} [[Takafumi Ogura]] |23 August 2016 |Sacked<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nagoya-grampus.jp/news/pressrelease/2016/0823gm-4.php |title=小倉隆史GM兼監督 休養のお知らせ |website=Nagoya-grampus.jp |language=ja |date=2016-08-23 |access-date=2016-08-26}}</ref> |{{flagicon|MKD}} [[Boško Gjurovski]] |23 August 2016 |}

===Foreign players===

Players name in bold indicates the player is registered during the mid-season transfer window.

{| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! style="width:190px;"| Club ! style="width:190px;"| Player 1 ! style="width:190px;"| Player 2 ! style="width:190px;"| Player 3 ! style="width:230px;"| [[Asian Football Confederation|AFC]] player ! style="width:170px;"| Non-visa foreign ! style="width:170px;"| Type-C contract<ref>{{cite web |title=Player registration and contracts |url=http://www.j-league.or.jp/eng/p_registration/ |publisher=J.League |access-date=28 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140911021600/http://www.j-league.or.jp/eng/p_registration/ |archive-date=2014-09-11 |url-status=dead }}</ref> ! style="width:170px;"| Former players |- | [[Albirex Niigata]] | {{flagicon|Brazil}} [[Bruno Cortez]] | {{flagicon|Brazil}} [[Léo Silva]] | {{flagicon|Brazil}} [[Rafael Silva (footballer, born 1992)|Rafael Silva]] | | | {{flagicon|Brazil}} [[Leonardo Kalil]] | {{flagicon|South Korea}} ''[[Lim You-hwan]]'' |- | [[Avispa Fukuoka]] | {{flagicon|Brazil}} [[Wellington (footballer, born 1988)|Wellington]] | {{flagicon|Colombia}} [[Danilson Córdoba]] | {{flagicon|South Korea}} [[Kim Hyun-hun]] | {{flagicon|South Korea}} [[Lee Bum-young]] | | | |- | [[FC Tokyo]] | {{flagicon|Australia}} [[Nathan Burns]] | {{flagicon|Brazil}} '''[[Muriqui (footballer)|Muriqui]]''' | | {{flagicon|South Korea}} [[Yu In-soo]] | | | {{flagicon|South Korea}} ''[[Ha Dae-sung]]''<br>{{flagicon|Spain}} ''[[Francisco Sandaza]]'' |- | [[Gamba Osaka]] | {{flagicon|Brazil}} [[Ademilson]] | {{flagicon|Brazil}} [[Patric (footballer, born 1987)|Patric]] | | {{flagicon|South Korea}} [[Oh Jae-suk]] | {{flagicon|South Korea}} [[Kim Jung-ya]] | | |- | [[Júbilo Iwata]] | {{flagicon|Brazil}} [[Adaílton (footballer, born 1990)|Adaílton]] | {{flagicon|England}} [[Jay Bothroyd]] | {{flagicon|Poland}} [[Krzysztof Kamiński]] | {{flagicon|Greece}} '''[[Avraam Papadopoulos]]''' {{ref|1|1}} | | | |- | [[Kashima Antlers]] | {{flagicon|Brazil}} '''[[Fabrício (footballer, born March 1990)|Fabrício]]''' | | | {{flagicon|South Korea}} [[Hwang Seok-ho]] | {{flagicon|Brazil}} [[Bueno (footballer)|Bueno]] | | {{flagicon|Brazil}} ''[[Caio Lucas|Caio]]''<br>{{flagicon|Brazil}} ''[[Dinei (footballer, born 1983)|Dinei]]'' |- | [[Kashiwa Reysol]] | {{flagicon|Brazil}} '''[[Cristiano da Silva|Cristiano]]''' | {{flagicon|Brazil}} [[Diego Oliveira (footballer, born 1990)|Diego Oliveira]] | | | | {{flagicon|Brazil}} [[Dudu (footballer, born 1996)|Dudu]] | {{flagicon|Brazil}} ''[[Éderson (footballer, born 1989)|Éderson]]''<br>{{flagicon|Brazil}} ''[[Juliano Mineiro]]''<br>{{flagicon|Brazil}} ''[[Patrick (footballer, born 1994)|Patrick]]'' |- | [[Kawasaki Frontale]] | {{flagicon|Brazil}} [[Eduardo (footballer, born 1993)|Eduardo]] | {{flagicon|Brazil}} [[Eduardo Neto]] | {{flagicon|Brazil}} [[Elsinho (footballer, born 1989)|Elsinho]] | {{flagicon|South Korea}} [[Jung Sung-ryong]] | | | |- | [[Nagoya Grampus]] | {{flagicon|South Korea}} '''[[Ha Dae-sung]]''' | {{flagicon|Sweden}} [[Ludvig Öhman]] | {{flagicon|Sweden}} [[Robin Simović]] | {{flagicon|South Korea}} [[Lee Seung-hee]] | | {{flagicon|Brazil}} [[Gustavo (footballer, born June 1996)|Gustavo]] | |- | [[RB Omiya Ardija|Omiya Ardija]] | {{flagicon|Brazil}} [[Mateus Castro|Mateus]] | {{flagicon|Serbia}} [[Dragan Mrđa]] | {{flagicon|Slovenia}} [[Nejc Pecnik]] | | | | |- | [[Sagan Tosu]] | {{flagicon|Algeria}} '''[[Aymen Tahar]]''' | {{flagicon|Morocco}} '''[[Moestafa El Kabir]]''' | {{flagicon|South Korea}} [[Kim Min-hyeok (footballer, born February 1992)|Kim Min-hyeok]] | {{flagicon|South Korea}} [[Kim Min-woo (footballer)|Kim Min-woo]] | | | {{flagicon|South Korea}} ''[[Baek Sung-dong]]''<br>{{flagicon|South Korea}} ''[[Choi Sung-keun]]'' |- | [[Sanfrecce Hiroshima]] | {{flagicon|Brazil}} '''[[Anderson Lopes]]''' | {{flagicon|Croatia}} [[Mihael Mikić]] | {{flagicon|Nigeria}} [[Peter Utaka]] | | | | {{flagicon|South Korea}} ''[[Kim Byeom-yong]]'' |- | [[Shonan Bellmare]] | {{flagicon|Brazil}} [[André Bahia]] | {{flagicon|Brazil}} '''[[Dinei (footballer, born 1983)|Dinei]]''' | {{flagicon|Brazil}} '''[[Weslley (footballer, born April 1992)|Weslley]]''' | {{flagicon|Australia}} [[Tando Velaphi]] | | {{flagicon|South Korea}} Park Tae-hwan | {{flagicon|Brazil}} ''[[Paulinho (footballer, born January 1989)|Paulinho]]''<br>{{flagicon|Brazil}} ''[[Thiago Quirino]]'' |- | [[Urawa Red Diamonds]] | {{flagicon|Slovenia}} [[Branko Ilić]] | {{flagicon|Slovenia}} [[Zlatan Ljubijankić]] | | | | | |- | [[Vegalta Sendai]] | {{flagicon|Brazil}} '''[[Pablo Diogo]]''' | {{flagicon|Brazil}} [[Ramon Lopes]] | {{flagicon|Brazil}} [[Wilson (footballer, born 1985)|Wilson]] | {{flagicon|South Korea}} [[Kim Min-tae]] | {{flagicon|North Korea}} [[Ryang Yong-gi]] | | |- | [[Ventforet Kofu]] | {{flagicon|Brazil}} '''[[Davi (footballer, born March 1984)|Davi]]''' | {{flagicon|Brazil}} '''[[Dudu (footballer, born 21 April 1990)|Dudu]]''' | {{flagicon|Brazil}} '''[[Marquinhos Paraná]]''' | {{flagicon|Australia}} [[Billy Celeski]] | | | {{flagicon|Brazil}} ''[[Cristiano da Silva|Cristiano]]''<br>{{flagicon|Brazil}} ''[[Gilton]]''<br>{{flagicon|Brazil}} ''[[Nilson (footballer, born 1991)|Nilson]]'' |- | [[Vissel Kobe]] | {{flagicon|Brazil}} [[Leandro (footballer, born February 1985)|Leandro]] | {{flagicon|Brazil}} '''[[Nílton (footballer, born April 1987)|Nílton]]''' | {{flagicon|Brazil}} [[Pedro Júnior]] | {{flagicon|South Korea}} [[Kim Seung-gyu]] | | | |- | [[Yokohama F. Marinos]] | {{flagicon|Brazil}} [[Fábio Aguiar|Fábio]] | {{flagicon|Brazil}} [[Kayke]] | {{flagicon|Curaçao}} [[Quenten Martinus]] | {{flagicon|South Korea}} [[Park Jeong-su]] | | | |}

*{{note|1|1}} [[Avraam Papadopoulos]] owns Australian citizenship and was counted as an Asian player.

==Format== Teams play a single round-robin in the first stage and a single round-robin in the second stage.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jleague.jp/docs/aboutj/regulation/17.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2015-04-24 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151001153856/http://www.jleague.jp/docs/aboutj/regulation/17.pdf |archive-date=2015-10-01 }}</ref> After that an overall table is calculated and a championship stage is played. The winners of the first and second stages and any team that finishes in the top 3 of the overall rankings advance to the championship stage. The team that finishes atop the overall table automatically qualifies for the final, while the remaining teams play-off for the other spot in the final.

==League table== ===First stage=== <onlyinclude>{{#invoke:Sports table|main|style=WDL |section=First stage

|team1=ANT |team2=FRO |team3=RED |team4=SFR |team5=ARD |team6=GAM |team7=REY |team8=JUB |team9=TOK |team10=VEG |team11=FMA |team12=VIS |team13=ALB |team14=GRA |team15=SAG |team16=BEL |team17=VEN |team18=AVI |result1=PO |update=complete |win_ALB=4 |draw_ALB=6 |loss_ALB=7 |gf_ALB=19|ga_ALB=25 |win_ANT=12|draw_ANT=3 |loss_ANT=2 |gf_ANT=29|ga_ANT=10 |win_ARD=7 |draw_ARD=5 |loss_ARD=5 |gf_ARD=17|ga_ARD=18 |win_AVI=2 |draw_AVI=5 |loss_AVI=10|gf_AVI=11|ga_AVI=25 |win_BEL=4 |draw_BEL=4 |loss_BEL=9 |gf_BEL=18|ga_BEL=27 |win_FMA=6 |draw_FMA=4 |loss_FMA=7 |gf_FMA=21|ga_FMA=19 |win_FRO=11|draw_FRO=5 |loss_FRO=1 |gf_FRO=33|ga_FRO=15 |win_GAM=7 |draw_GAM=3 |loss_GAM=7 |gf_GAM=22|ga_GAM=20 |win_GRA=4 |draw_GRA=5 |loss_GRA=8 |gf_GRA=24|ga_GRA=29 |win_JUB=6 |draw_JUB=5 |loss_JUB=6 |gf_JUB=21|ga_JUB=23 |win_RED=10|draw_RED=3 |loss_RED=4 |gf_RED=26|ga_RED=16 |win_REY=6 |draw_REY=6 |loss_REY=5 |gf_REY=20|ga_REY=21 |win_SAG=4 |draw_SAG=5 |loss_SAG=8 |gf_SAG=10|ga_SAG=15 |win_SFR=8 |draw_SFR=5 |loss_SFR=4 |gf_SFR=32|ga_SFR=18 |win_TOK=6 |draw_TOK=5 |loss_TOK=6 |gf_TOK=16|ga_TOK=18 |win_VEG=7 |draw_VEG=2 |loss_VEG=8 |gf_VEG=20|ga_VEG=25 |win_VEN=3 |draw_VEN=6 |loss_VEN=8 |gf_VEN=18|ga_VEN=31 |win_VIS=5 |draw_VIS=5 |loss_VIS=7 |gf_VIS=23|ga_VIS=25

|name_ALB=[[Albirex Niigata]] |name_ANT=[[Kashima Antlers]] |name_ARD=[[RB Omiya Ardija|Omiya Ardija]] |name_AVI=[[Avispa Fukuoka]] |name_BEL=[[Shonan Bellmare]] |name_FMA=[[Yokohama F. Marinos]] |name_FRO=[[Kawasaki Frontale]] |name_GAM=[[Gamba Osaka]] |name_GRA=[[Nagoya Grampus]] |name_JUB=[[Júbilo Iwata]] |name_RED=[[Urawa Red Diamonds]] |name_REY=[[Kashiwa Reysol]] |name_SAG=[[Sagan Tosu]] |name_SFR=[[Sanfrecce Hiroshima]] |name_TOK=[[FC Tokyo]] |name_VEG=[[Vegalta Sendai]] |name_VEN=[[Ventforet Kofu]] |name_VIS=[[Vissel Kobe]]

|show_limit=3 |class_rules = 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored.

<!--Status--> |status_ANT=Q

|source=[https://data.j-league.or.jp/SFRT01/?competitionSectionIdLabel=Up+to+date&competitionIdLabel=MEIJI+YASUDA+J1+LEAGUE+1st&yearIdLabel=2016&yearId=2016&competitionId=411&competitionSectionId=0&search=search&lang=en 2016 MEIJI YASUDA J1 LEAGUE 1st Stage League table] |res_col_header=Q |col_PO=green1 |text_PO=[[2017 AFC Champions League#Group stage|Champions League group stage]] and [[#Championship stage|J.League Championship 1st Round]]

}}</onlyinclude> ===Second stage=== <onlyinclude>{{#invoke:Sports table|main|style=WDL |section=Second stage

|source=[https://data.j-league.or.jp/SFRT01/?competitionSectionIdLabel=Up+to+date&competitionIdLabel=MEIJI+YASUDA+J1+LEAGUE+2nd&yearIdLabel=2016&yearId=2016&competitionId=412&competitionSectionId=0&search=search 2016 MEIJI YASUDA J1 LEAGUE 2nd Stage League table] |team1=RED |team3=FRO |team2=VIS |team4=GAM |team5=REY |team6=ARD |team7=FMA |team8=SAG |team9=TOK |team10=SFR |team11=ANT |team12=VEG |team13=VEN |team14=JUB |team15=GRA |team16=ALB |team17=BEL |team18=AVI |result1=PO |update=complete |win_ALB=4 |draw_ALB=0 |loss_ALB=13|gf_ALB=14|ga_ALB=24 |win_ANT=6 |draw_ANT=2 |loss_ANT=9 |gf_ANT=24|ga_ANT=24 |win_ARD=8 |draw_ARD=6 |loss_ARD=3 |gf_ARD=24|ga_ARD=18 |win_AVI=2 |draw_AVI=2 |loss_AVI=13|gf_AVI=15|ga_AVI=41 |win_BEL=3 |draw_BEL=2 |loss_BEL=12|gf_BEL=12|ga_BEL=29 |win_FMA=7 |draw_FMA=8 |loss_FMA=2 |gf_FMA=32|ga_FMA=19 |win_FRO=11|draw_FRO=1 |loss_FRO=5 |gf_FRO=35|ga_FRO=24 |win_GAM=10|draw_GAM=4 |loss_GAM=3 |gf_GAM=31|ga_GAM=22 |win_GRA=3 |draw_GRA=4 |loss_GRA=10|gf_GRA=14|ga_GRA=29 |win_JUB=2 |draw_JUB=7 |loss_JUB=8 |gf_JUB=16|ga_JUB=27 |win_RED=13|draw_RED=2 |loss_RED=2 |gf_RED=35|ga_RED=12 |win_REY=9 |draw_REY=3 |loss_REY=5 |gf_REY=32|ga_REY=23 |win_SAG=8 |draw_SAG=5 |loss_SAG=4 |gf_SAG=26|ga_SAG=22 |win_SFR=8 |draw_SFR=2 |loss_SFR=7 |gf_SFR=26|ga_SFR=22 |win_TOK=9 |draw_TOK=2 |loss_TOK=6 |gf_TOK=23|ga_TOK=21 |win_VEG=6 |draw_VEG=2 |loss_VEG=9 |gf_VEG=19|ga_VEG=23 |win_VEN=4 |draw_VEN=4 |loss_VEN=9 |gf_VEN=14|ga_VEN=27 |win_VIS=11|draw_VIS=2 |loss_VIS=4 |gf_VIS=33|ga_VIS=18

|name_ALB=[[Albirex Niigata]] |name_ANT=[[Kashima Antlers]] |name_ARD=[[RB Omiya Ardija|Omiya Ardija]] |name_AVI=[[Avispa Fukuoka]] |name_BEL=[[Shonan Bellmare]] |name_FMA=[[Yokohama F. Marinos]] |name_FRO=[[Kawasaki Frontale]] |name_GAM=[[Gamba Osaka]] |name_GRA=[[Nagoya Grampus]] |name_JUB=[[Júbilo Iwata]] |name_RED=[[Urawa Red Diamonds]] |name_REY=[[Kashiwa Reysol]] |name_SAG=[[Sagan Tosu]] |name_SFR=[[Sanfrecce Hiroshima]] |name_TOK=[[FC Tokyo]] |name_VEG=[[Vegalta Sendai]] |name_VEN=[[Ventforet Kofu]] |name_VIS=[[Vissel Kobe]]

|show_limit=3 |class_rules = 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored.

<!--Status--> |status_RED=Q |res_col_header=Q |col_PO=green1 |text_PO=[[2017 AFC Champions League#group stage|Champions League group stage]] and [[#Championship stage|J.League Championship Final]]

}}</onlyinclude> ===Overall table=== <onlyinclude>{{#invoke:Sports table|main|style=WDL |section=Overall table |source=[http://www.jleague.jp/en/standings/j1/ Meiji Yasuda J1 League] |team1=RED |team2=FRO |team3=ANT |team4=GAM |team5=ARD |team6=SFR |team7=VIS |team8=REY |team9=TOK |team10=FMA|team11=SAG |team12=VEG |team13=JUB |team14=VEN |team15=ALB |team16=GRA |team17=BEL |team18=AVI |result1=CLGSCSF |result2=CLPCS |result3=CWC |result4=CS |result16=R |result17=R |result18=R |update=complete |win_ALB=8 |draw_ALB=6 |loss_ALB=20|gf_ALB=33|ga_ALB=49 |win_ANT=18|draw_ANT=5 |loss_ANT=11|gf_ANT=53|ga_ANT=34|status_ANT=C |win_ARD=15|draw_ARD=11|loss_ARD=8 |gf_ARD=41|ga_ARD=36 |win_AVI=4 |draw_AVI=7 |loss_AVI=23|gf_AVI=26|ga_AVI=66|status_AVI=R |win_BEL=7 |draw_BEL=6 |loss_BEL=21|gf_BEL=30|ga_BEL=56|status_BEL=R |win_FMA=13|draw_FMA=12|loss_FMA=9 |gf_FMA=53|ga_FMA=38 |win_FRO=22|draw_FRO=6 |loss_FRO=6 |gf_FRO=68|ga_FRO=39 |win_GAM=17|draw_GAM=7 |loss_GAM=10|gf_GAM=53|ga_GAM=42 |win_GRA=7 |draw_GRA=9 |loss_GRA=18|gf_GRA=38|ga_GRA=58|status_GRA=R |win_JUB=8 |draw_JUB=12|loss_JUB=14|gf_JUB=37|ga_JUB=50 |win_RED=23|draw_RED=5 |loss_RED=6 |gf_RED=61|ga_RED=28 |win_REY=15|draw_REY=9 |loss_REY=10|gf_REY=52|ga_REY=44 |win_SAG=12|draw_SAG=10|loss_SAG=12|gf_SAG=36|ga_SAG=37 |win_SFR=16|draw_SFR=7 |loss_SFR=11|gf_SFR=58|ga_SFR=40 |win_TOK=15|draw_TOK=7 |loss_TOK=12|gf_TOK=39|ga_TOK=39 |win_VEG=13|draw_VEG=4 |loss_VEG=17|gf_VEG=39|ga_VEG=48 |win_VEN=7 |draw_VEN=10|loss_VEN=17|gf_VEN=32|ga_VEN=58 |win_VIS=16|draw_VIS=7 |loss_VIS=11|gf_VIS=56|ga_VIS=43

|name_ALB=[[Albirex Niigata]] |name_ANT=[[Kashima Antlers]] |name_ARD=[[RB Omiya Ardija|Omiya Ardija]] |name_AVI=[[Avispa Fukuoka]] |name_BEL=[[Shonan Bellmare]] |name_FMA=[[Yokohama F. Marinos]] |name_FRO=[[Kawasaki Frontale]] |name_GAM=[[Gamba Osaka]] |name_GRA=[[Nagoya Grampus]] |name_JUB=[[Júbilo Iwata]] |name_RED=[[Urawa Red Diamonds]] |name_REY=[[Kashiwa Reysol]] |name_SAG=[[Sagan Tosu]] |name_SFR=[[Sanfrecce Hiroshima]] |name_TOK=[[FC Tokyo]] |name_VEG=[[Vegalta Sendai]] |name_VEN=[[Ventforet Kofu]] |name_VIS=[[Vissel Kobe]]

|show_limit=3 |class_rules = 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored. |res_col_header=QR |col_CLGSCSF=green1 |text_CLGSCSF= [[2017 AFC Champions League#Group stage|Champions League group stage]] and [[2016 J1 League#Championship stage|J. League Championship Final]]

|col_CLPCS=green1 |text_CLPCS= [[2017 AFC Champions League#Group stage|Champions League group stage]] and [[2016 J1 League#Championship stage|J. League Championship 1st Round]]

|col_CWC=orange1 |text_CWC= [[2016 FIFA Club World Cup#Play-off for quarter-finals|Club World Cup]], [[2017 AFC Champions League#Group stage|Champions League group stage]] and [[2016 J1 League#Championship stage|J. League Championship 1st Round]]

|col_CS=green2 |text_CS= [[2017 AFC Champions League|Champions League play-off round]] |note_res_CS=The winner of the [[2016 Emperor's Cup]] qualified for the [[2017 AFC Champions League#Group stage|group stage]] of the [[2017 AFC Champions League]]. Since the Emperor's Cup winner Kashima Antlers had already qualified for the AFC Champions League, the [[2017 AFC Champions League|play-off round]] spot was awarded to the fourth-placed team.

|col_R=red1 |text_R= Relegation to [[2017 J2 League]] }}</onlyinclude>

==Positions by round==

===First stage=== {{#invoke:sports rbr table|table|legendpos=br|sortable=yes |team1=[[Kashima Antlers]] |pos1=5/2/7/3/3/2/2/3/3/3/3/3/2/2/2/1/1 |team2=[[Kawasaki Frontale]] |pos2=5/3/1/1/2/1/1/2/2/2/2/1/1/1/1/2/2 |team3=[[Urawa Red Diamonds]] |pos3=2/7/2/2/1/3/3/1/1/1/1/2/3/3/3/3/3 |team4=[[Sanfrecce Hiroshima]] |pos4=13/16/16/11/7/10/5/4/7/7/6/6/8/6/5/4/4 |team5=[[RB Omiya Ardija|Omiya Ardija]] |pos5=5/1/3/10/10/6/6/6/5/5/5/4/4/4/4/5/5 |team6=[[Gamba Osaka]] |pos6=13/12/4/7/12/8/8/8/9/11/10/8/6/8/8/6/6 |team7=[[Kashiwa Reysol]] |pos7=10/18/17/17/16/14/9/7/4/4/4/5/5/5/6/7/7 |team8=[[Júbilo Iwata]] |pos8=13/8/9/12/11/7/10/9/6/6/8/9/7/9/11/12/8 |team9=[[FC Tokyo]] |pos9=13/8/4/9/6/9/11/12/13/13/12/12/12/11/12/11/9 |team10=[[Vegalta Sendai]] |pos10=5/8/4/7/13/15/15/15/16/17/14/14/13/12/10/8/10 |team11=[[Yokohama F. Marinos]] |pos11=13/16/11/5/4/4/4/5/8/9/9/10/9/7/7/9/11 |team12=[[Vissel Kobe]] |pos12=18/5/13/6/5/5/7/10/10/8/7/7/10/10/9/10/12 |team13=[[Albirex Niigata]] |pos13=2/13/14/14/9/13/14/14/15/15/15/15/15/15/16/15/13 |team14=[[Nagoya Grampus]] |pos14=5/4/9/4/8/11/13/11/12/10/11/11/11/13/13/14/14 |team15=[[Sagan Tosu]] |pos15=2/8/11/13/14/16/16/16/14/14/16/16/16/17/15/13/15 |team16=[[Shonan Bellmare]] |pos16=10/14/15/16/17/18/18/18/18/16/17/18/18/16/17/16/16 |team17=[[Ventforet Kofu]] |pos17=1/6/8/15/15/12/12/13/11/12/13/13/14/14/14/17/17 |team18=[[Avispa Fukuoka]] |pos18=10/15/18/18/18/17/17/17/17/18/18/17/17/18/18/18/18 |color_1 = gold| text_1 =Leader and qualification to 2016 J.League Championship |update=complete |source= [https://data.j-league.or.jp/SFRT01/?competitionSectionIdLabel=Up+to+date&competitionIdLabel=MEIJI+YASUDA+J1+LEAGUE+2nd&yearIdLabel=2016&yearId=2016&competitionId=412&competitionSectionId=0&search=search J. League data site] |notes=<br /> # Two games for Matchday 7 (Avispa Fukuoka vs. Nagoya Grampus and Sagan Tosu vs. Vissel Kobe), scheduled on 16 April 2016, were affected by the [[2016 Kumamoto earthquakes|series of earthquakes in Kumamoto prefecture]], and thus postponed and rescheduled on 2 June 2016. Results of these matches were included in Matchday 15 ranking. # Matchday 10 results for 2016 AFC Champions League Participants (FC Tokyo vs. Sanfrecce Hiroshima; Gamba Osaka vs. Urawa Red Diamonds), held on 15 June 2016, were included in Matchday 16 ranking. # Matchday 13 results for 2016 AFC Champions League Knockout Stage Participants (Urawa Red Diamonds vs. FC Tokyo), held on 22 June 2016, were included in Matchday 17 ranking. }}

===Second stage=== {{#invoke:sports rbr table|table|legendpos=br|sortable=yes |team1=[[Urawa Red Diamonds]] |pos1=7/4/3/3/2/2/2/1/2/2/2/1/1/1/1/1/1 |team2=[[Vissel Kobe]] |pos2=1/5/8/6/9/7/8/7/6/5/4/5/4/2/3/3/2 |team3=[[Kawasaki Frontale]] |pos3=1/1/1/2/1/1/1/2/1/1/1/3/2/3/2/2/3 |team4=[[Gamba Osaka]] |pos4=5/3/4/4/7/6/4/3/4/4/3/2/3/5/4/4/4 |team5=[[Kashiwa Reysol]] |pos5=8/11/10/8/5/4/6/8/7/6/5/6/5/4/6/7/5 |team6=[[RB Omiya Ardija|Omiya Ardija]] |pos6=8/7/7/9/10/11/10/11/10/10/9/9/8/7/7/5/6 |team7=[[Yokohama F. Marinos]] |pos7=1/1/1/1/3/5/3/5/5/7/7/4/6/6/5/6/7 |team8=[[Sagan Tosu]] |pos8=6/6/5/5/4/3/5/4/3/3/6/7/7/8/8/8/8 |team9=[[FC Tokyo]] |pos9=10/10/11/12/16/12/11/12/12/11/10/11/11/11/9/9/9 |team10=[[Sanfrecce Hiroshima]] |pos10=1/8/9/10/6/8/7/6/8/8/8/8/10/10/11/10/10 |team11=[[Kashima Antlers]] |pos11=14/9/6/7/8/9/12/10/9/9/11/10/9/9/10/11/11 |team12=[[Vegalta Sendai]] |pos12=15/18/17/14/11/10/9/9/11/12/12/12/12/12/12/12/12 |team13=[[Ventforet Kofu]] |pos13=15/16/15/16/12/13/15/13/13/13/13/13/13/13/13/13/13 |team14=[[Júbilo Iwata]] |pos14=15/13/14/13/13/15/16/16/15/15/15/15/15/16/16/16/14 |team15=[[Nagoya Grampus]] |pos15=12/16/18/17/18/18/18/18/18/18/16/17/16/15/14/14/15 |team16=[[Albirex Niigata]] |pos16=12/14/16/18/15/16/13/14/14/14/14/14/14/14/15/15/16 |team17=[[Shonan Bellmare]] |pos17=15/12/13/15/17/17/17/17/17/17/18/18/18/18/18/17/17 |team18=[[Avispa Fukuoka]] |pos18=11/15/12/11/14/13/14/15/16/16/17/16/17/17/17/18/18 |color_1 = gold| text_1 =Leader and qualification to 2016 J.League Championship |source= [https://data.j-league.or.jp/SFRT01/?competitionSectionIdLabel=Up+to+date&competitionIdLabel=MEIJI+YASUDA+J1+LEAGUE+2nd&yearIdLabel=2016&yearId=2016&competitionId=412&competitionSectionId=0&search=search J. League data site] |update=complete }}

===Overall=== {{#invoke:sports rbr table|table|legendpos=br|sortable=yes |team1=[[Urawa Red Diamonds]] |pos1=2/7/2/2/1/3/3/1/1/1/1/2/3/3/3/3/3/3/3/3/3/3/2/2/2/2/2/2/2/2/1/1/1/1 |team2=[[Kawasaki Frontale]] |pos2=5/3/1/1/2/1/1/2/2/2/2/1/1/1/1/2/2/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/2/2/2/2 |team3=[[Kashima Antlers]] |pos3=5/2/7/3/3/2/2/3/3/3/3/3/2/2/2/1/1/2/2/2/2/2/3/3/3/3/3/3/3/3/3/3/3/3 |team4=[[Gamba Osaka]] |pos4=13/12/4/7/12/8/8/8/9/11/10/8/6/8/8/6/6/6/5/6/6/7/6/5/5/5/5/4/4/4/4/5/4/4 |team5=[[RB Omiya Ardija|Omiya Ardija]] |pos5=5/1/3/10/10/6/6/6/5/5/5/4/4/4/4/5/5/5/6/7/7/8/8/8/8/7/7/7/7/7/6/4/5/5 |team6=[[Kashiwa Reysol]] |pos6=10/18/17/17/16/14/9/7/4/4/4/5/5/5/6/7/7/7/8/8/8/5/5/7/7/6/6/6/6/5/5/6/8/8 |team7=[[Sanfrecce Hiroshima]] |pos7=13/16/16/11/7/10/5/4/7/7/6/6/8/6/5/4/4/4/4/4/4/4/4/4/4/4/4/5/5/6/7/8/6/6 |team8=[[Vissel Kobe]] |pos8=18/5/13/6/5/5/7/10/10/8/7/7/10/10/9/10/12/9/10/11/9/11/10/12/11/9/9/9/9/8/8/9/7/7 |team9=[[Yokohama F. Marinos]] |pos9=13/16/11/5/4/4/4/5/8/9/9/10/9/7/7/9/11/8/7/5/5/6/7/6/6/8/8/8/8/9/9/7/9/10 |team10=[[FC Tokyo]] |pos10=13/8/4/9/6/9/11/12/13/13/12/12/12/11/12/11/9/10/9/9/10/13/12/10/12/12/11/10/10/10/10/10/10/9 |team11=[[Sagan Tosu]] |pos11=2/8/11/13/14/16/16/16/14/14/16/16/16/17/15/13/15/13/13/12/13/10/9/11/10/11/10/11/11/11/12/12/11/11 |team12=[[Vegalta Sendai]] |pos12=5/8/4/7/13/15/15/15/16/17/14/14/13/12/10/8/10/12/12/13/12/9/11/9/9/10/12/12/12/12/11/11/12/12 |team13=[[Júbilo Iwata]] |pos13=13/8/9/12/11/7/10/9/6/6/8/9/7/9/11/12/8/11/11/10/11/12/13/13/13/13/13/13/13/13/13/13/13/13 |team14=[[Ventforet Kofu]] |pos14=1/6/8/15/15/12/12/13/11/12/13/13/14/14/14/17/17/17/17/17/17/15/15/15/15/15/15/15/14/14/14/14/14/14 |team15=[[Albirex Niigata]] |pos15=2/13/14/14/9/13/14/14/15/15/15/15/15/15/16/15/13/14/15/15/15/14/14/14/14/14/14/14/15/15/15/15/15/15 |team16=[[Nagoya Grampus]] |pos16=5/4/9/4/8/11/13/11/12/10/11/11/11/13/13/14/14/15/16/16/16/17/16/16/16/16/16/16/16/16/16/16/16/16 |team17=[[Shonan Bellmare]] |pos17=10/14/15/16/17/18/18/18/18/16/17/18/18/16/17/16/16/16/14/14/14/16/17/17/17/17/17/17/18/17/17/17/17/17 |team18=[[Avispa Fukuoka]] |pos18=10/15/18/18/18/17/17/17/17/18/18/17/17/18/18/18/18/18/18/18/18/18/18/18/18/18/18/18/17/18/18/18/18/18 |color_1 = gold| text_1 =Leader, qualification to 2016 J.League Championship Final and [[2017 AFC Champions League|2017 AFC Champions League group stage]] |color_2-3 = green1 | text_2-3 =Qualification to 2016 J.League Championship 1st Round and [[2017 AFC Champions League|2017 AFC Champions League group stage]] |color_4 = green2 | text_4 =Qualification to [[2017 AFC Champions League|2017 AFC Champions League qualifying play-off]] |color_16-18 = red1| text_16-18 =Relegation to [[2017 J2 League]]

|source= [https://data.j-league.or.jp/SFRT01/?competitionSectionIdLabel=Up+to+date&competitionIdLabel=MEIJI+YASUDA+J1+LEAGUE+1st&yearIdLabel=2016&yearId=2016&competitionId=411&competitionSectionId=0&search=search&lang=en J. League data site] |notes=<br /> # Two games for Matchday 7 (Avispa Fukuoka vs. Nagoya Grampus and Sagan Tosu vs. Vissel Kobe), scheduled on 16 April 2016, were affected by the [[2016 Kumamoto earthquakes|series of earthquakes in Kumamoto prefecture]], and thus postponed and rescheduled on 2 June 2016. Results of these matches were included in Matchday 15 ranking. # Matchday 10 results for 2016 AFC Champions League Participants (FC Tokyo vs. Sanfrecce Hiroshima; Gamba Osaka vs. Urawa Red Diamonds), held on 15 June 2016, were included in Matchday 16 ranking. # Matchday 13 results for 2016 AFC Champions League Knockout Stage Participants (Urawa Red Diamonds vs. FC Tokyo), held on 22 June 2016, were included in Matchday 17 ranking. }}

==Championship stage== '''Meiji Yasuda 2016 J.League Championship''' (明治安田生命 2016 Jリーグチャンピオンシップ)<br /> The [[J.League Championship|Championship stage]] consisted of a knockout tournament involving the champions of the First and Second stages, and any team that finishes in the top 3 of the overall table. The team with the best aggregate record earned a bye to the final. The remaining teams playoff for the other spot in the final.

{{3TeamBracket | legs = 1/2 | aggregate = yes | RD1-seed1 = 2 | RD1-team1 = [[Kawasaki Frontale]] | RD1-score1 = 0 | RD1-seed2 = 3 | RD1-team2 = '''[[Kashima Antlers]]''' | RD1-score2 = '''1''' | RD2-seed1 = 1 | RD2-team1 = [[Urawa Red Diamonds]] | RD2-score1-1 = '''1''' | RD2-score1-2 = 1 | RD2-score1-agg = 2 | RD2-seed2 = 3 | RD2-team2 = '''[[Kashima Antlers]]''' | RD2-score2-1 = 0 | RD2-score2-2 = '''2''' | RD2-score2-agg = 2 }} ---- {{Football box | date = 23 November 2016 | event = | time = 14:00 | team1 = [[Kawasaki Frontale]] | score = 0–1 | report = [http://www.jleague.jp/match/championship/2016/112301/live/ Report] | team2 = [[Kashima Antlers]] | goals1 = | goals2 = [[Mu Kanazaki|Kanazaki]] {{goal|50}} | stadium = [[Uvance Todoroki Stadium by Fujitsu|Todoroki Athletics Stadium]], [[Kawasaki, Kanagawa|Kawasaki]] | attendance = 24,209 | referee = [[Shinji Murakami]] }} ---- {{Football box | date = 29 November 2016 | event = | time = 19:25 | team1 = [[Kashima Antlers]] | score = 0–1 | report = [http://www.jleague.jp/match/championship/2016/112901/live/ Report] | team2 = [[Urawa Red Diamonds]] | goals1 = | goals2 = [[Yuki Abe|Abe]] {{goal|57|pen.}} | stadium = [[Kashima Soccer Stadium]], [[Kashima, Ibaraki|Kashima]] | attendance = 23,074 | referee = [[Masaaki Toma]] }} ---- {{Football box | date = 3 December 2016 | event = | time = 19:30 | team1 = [[Urawa Red Diamonds]] | score = 1–2 | report = [http://www.jleague.jp/en/match/championship/2016/120301/live/ Report] | team2 = [[Kashima Antlers]] | goals1 = [[Shinzo Koroki|Koroki]] {{goal|7}} | goals2 = [[Mu Kanazaki|Kanazaki]] {{goal|40||79|pen.}} | stadium = [[Saitama Stadium 2002]], [[Midori-ku, Saitama]] | attendance = 59,837 | referee = [[Ryuji Sato]] }} ''2–2 on aggregate. Kashima Antlers won on away goals.''

==Results==

===First stage=== {{#invoke:sports results|main |matches_style=FBR|solid_cell=grey |team1=ALB|team2=ANT|team3=ARD|team4=AVI|team5=BEL |team6=FMA|team7=FRO|team8=GAM|team9=GRA|team10=JÚB |team11=RED|team12=REY|team13=SAG|team14=SFR|team15=TOK |team16=VEG|team17=VEN|team18=VIS

|name_ALB=[[Albirex Niigata]] |match_ALB_ANT=null |match_ALB_ARD=1–0 |match_ALB_AVI=null |match_ALB_BEL=null |match_ALB_FMA=1–2 |match_ALB_FRO=0–0 |match_ALB_GAM=0–0 |match_ALB_GRA=null |match_ALB_JÚB=1–2 |match_ALB_RED=null |match_ALB_REY=2–2 |match_ALB_SAG=1–0 |match_ALB_SFR=null |match_ALB_TOK=null |match_ALB_VEG=null |match_ALB_VEN=2–2 |match_ALB_VIS=null

|name_ANT=[[Kashima Antlers]] |match_ANT_ALB=2–1 |match_ANT_ARD=null |match_ANT_AVI=2–0 |match_ANT_BEL=null |match_ANT_FMA=1–0 |match_ANT_FRO=null |match_ANT_GAM=null |match_ANT_GRA=null |match_ANT_JÚB=null |match_ANT_RED=null |match_ANT_REY=0–2 |match_ANT_SAG=1–0 |match_ANT_SFR=4–1 |match_ANT_TOK=2–0 |match_ANT_VEG=null |match_ANT_VEN=4–0 |match_ANT_VIS=null

|name_ARD=[[RB Omiya Ardija|Omiya Ardija]] |match_ARD_ALB=null |match_ARD_ANT=0–0 |match_ARD_AVI=null |match_ARD_BEL=null |match_ARD_FMA=1–1 |match_ARD_FRO=null |match_ARD_GAM=null |match_ARD_GRA=null |match_ARD_JÚB=1–1 |match_ARD_RED=0–1 |match_ARD_REY=2–0 |match_ARD_SAG=null |match_ARD_SFR=1–5 |match_ARD_TOK=null |match_ARD_VEG=null |match_ARD_VEN=1–1 |match_ARD_VIS=2–2

|name_AVI=[[Avispa Fukuoka]] |match_AVI_ALB=0–1 |match_AVI_ANT=null |match_AVI_ARD=1–2 |match_AVI_BEL=1–0 |match_AVI_FMA=1–1 |match_AVI_FRO=2–2 |match_AVI_GAM=0–1 |match_AVI_GRA=0–0 |match_AVI_JÚB=null |match_AVI_RED=null |match_AVI_REY=null |match_AVI_SAG=null |match_AVI_SFR=0–4 |match_AVI_TOK=null |match_AVI_VEG=null |match_AVI_VEN=null |match_AVI_VIS=null

|name_BEL=[[Shonan Bellmare]] |match_BEL_ALB=1–2 |match_BEL_ANT=0–3 |match_BEL_ARD=0–1 |match_BEL_AVI=null |match_BEL_FMA=null |match_BEL_FRO=null |match_BEL_GAM=null |match_BEL_GRA=2–1 |match_BEL_JÚB=1–0 |match_BEL_RED=0–2 |match_BEL_REY=null |match_BEL_SAG=null |match_BEL_SFR=null |match_BEL_TOK=0–1 |match_BEL_VEG=0–1 |match_BEL_VEN=null |match_BEL_VIS=1–2

|name_FMA=[[Yokohama F. Marinos]] |match_FMA_ALB=null |match_FMA_ANT=null |match_FMA_ARD=null |match_FMA_AVI=null |match_FMA_BEL=0–1 |match_FMA_FRO=0–2 |match_FMA_GAM=null |match_FMA_GRA=null |match_FMA_JÚB=null |match_FMA_RED=0–0 |match_FMA_REY=3–0 |match_FMA_SAG=2–1 |match_FMA_SFR=1–2 |match_FMA_TOK=0–1 |match_FMA_VEG=0–1 |match_FMA_VEN=2–2 |match_FMA_VIS=null

|name_FRO=[[Kawasaki Frontale]] |match_FRO_ALB=null |match_FRO_ANT=1–1 |match_FRO_ARD=2–0 |match_FRO_AVI=null |match_FRO_BEL=4–4 |match_FRO_FMA=null |match_FRO_GAM=null |match_FRO_GRA=3–2 |match_FRO_JÚB=1–0 |match_FRO_RED=0–1 |match_FRO_REY=null |match_FRO_SAG=1–0 |match_FRO_SFR=null |match_FRO_TOK=null |match_FRO_VEG=1–1 |match_FRO_VEN=null |match_FRO_VIS=3–1

|name_GAM=[[Gamba Osaka]] |match_GAM_ALB=null |match_GAM_ANT=0–1 |match_GAM_ARD=2–1 |match_GAM_AVI=null |match_GAM_BEL=3–3 |match_GAM_FMA=1–2 |match_GAM_FRO=0–1 |match_GAM_GRA=3–3 |match_GAM_JÚB=2–1 |match_GAM_RED=1–0 |match_GAM_REY=0–1 |match_GAM_SAG=null |match_GAM_SFR=null |match_GAM_TOK=null |match_GAM_VEG=null |match_GAM_VEN=null |match_GAM_VIS=null

|name_GRA=[[Nagoya Grampus]] |match_GRA_ALB=2–1 |match_GRA_ANT=2–3 |match_GRA_ARD=1–2 |match_GRA_AVI=null |match_GRA_BEL=null |match_GRA_FMA=3–1 |match_GRA_FRO=null |match_GRA_GAM=null |match_GRA_JÚB=null |match_GRA_RED=null |match_GRA_REY=1–1 |match_GRA_SAG=0–1 |match_GRA_SFR=1–1 |match_GRA_TOK=null |match_GRA_VEG=2–1 |match_GRA_VEN=null |match_GRA_VIS=0–1

|name_JÚB=[[Júbilo Iwata]] |match_JÚB_ALB=null |match_JÚB_ANT=1–1 |match_JÚB_ARD=null |match_JÚB_AVI=2–2 |match_JÚB_BEL=null |match_JÚB_FMA=1–5 |match_JÚB_FRO=null |match_JÚB_GAM=null |match_JÚB_GRA=0–1 |match_JÚB_RED=null |match_JÚB_REY=null |match_JÚB_SAG=null |match_JÚB_SFR=1–0 |match_JÚB_TOK=0–0 |match_JÚB_VEG=3–0 |match_JÚB_VEN=3–1 |match_JÚB_VIS=null

|name_RED=[[Urawa Red Diamonds]] |match_RED_ALB=0–0 |match_RED_ANT=0–2 |match_RED_ARD=null |match_RED_AVI=2–0 |match_RED_BEL=null |match_RED_FMA=null |match_RED_FRO=null |match_RED_GAM=null |match_RED_GRA=4–1 |match_RED_JÚB=1–2 |match_RED_REY=null |match_RED_SAG=null |match_RED_SFR=null |match_RED_TOK=3–2 |match_RED_VEG=3–1 |match_RED_VEN=2–1 |match_RED_VIS=3–1

|name_REY=[[Kashiwa Reysol]] |match_REY_ALB=null |match_REY_ANT=null |match_REY_ARD=null |match_REY_AVI=3–2 |match_REY_BEL=1–1 |match_REY_FMA=null |match_REY_FRO=1–3 |match_REY_GAM=null |match_REY_GRA=null |match_REY_JÚB=2–2 |match_REY_RED=1–2 |match_REY_SAG=null |match_REY_SFR=null |match_REY_TOK=1–0 |match_REY_VEG=0–2 |match_REY_VEN=null |match_REY_VIS=2–0

|name_SAG=[[Sagan Tosu]] |match_SAG_ALB=null |match_SAG_ANT=null |match_SAG_ARD=0–1 |match_SAG_AVI=2–1 |match_SAG_BEL=0–1 |match_SAG_FMA=null |match_SAG_FRO=null |match_SAG_GAM=2–1 |match_SAG_GRA=null |match_SAG_JÚB=0–1 |match_SAG_RED=0–0 |match_SAG_REY=1–1 |match_SAG_SFR=null |match_SAG_TOK=null |match_SAG_VEG=null |match_SAG_VEN=1–1 |match_SAG_VIS=0–0

|name_SFR=[[Sanfrecce Hiroshima]] |match_SFR_ALB=1–0 |match_SFR_ANT=null |match_SFR_ARD=null |match_SFR_AVI=null |match_SFR_BEL=2–2 |match_SFR_FMA=null |match_SFR_FRO=0–1 |match_SFR_GAM=1–3 |match_SFR_GRA=null |match_SFR_JÚB=null |match_SFR_RED=4–2 |match_SFR_REY=0–0 |match_SFR_SAG=3–0 |match_SFR_TOK=null |match_SFR_VEG=3–0 |match_SFR_VEN=null |match_SFR_VIS=null

|name_TOK=[[FC Tokyo]] |match_TOK_ALB=1–1 |match_TOK_ANT=null |match_TOK_ARD=0–1 |match_TOK_AVI=0–1 |match_TOK_BEL=null |match_TOK_FMA=null |match_TOK_FRO=2–4 |match_TOK_GAM=1–0 |match_TOK_GRA=3–2 |match_TOK_JÚB=null |match_TOK_RED=null |match_TOK_REY=null |match_TOK_SAG=0–0 |match_TOK_SFR=1–1 |match_TOK_VEG=null |match_TOK_VEN=null |match_TOK_VIS=1–0

|name_VEG=[[Vegalta Sendai]] |match_VEG_ALB=4–2 |match_VEG_ANT=1–0 |match_VEG_ARD=0–1 |match_VEG_AVI=2–0 |match_VEG_BEL=null |match_VEG_FMA=null |match_VEG_FRO=null |match_VEG_GAM=1–3 |match_VEG_GRA=null |match_VEG_JÚB=null |match_VEG_RED=null |match_VEG_REY=null |match_VEG_SAG=0–2 |match_VEG_SFR=null |match_VEG_TOK=1–2 |match_VEG_VEN=2–1 |match_VEG_VIS=null

|name_VEN=[[Ventforet Kofu]] |match_VEN_ALB=null |match_VEN_ANT=null |match_VEN_ARD=null |match_VEN_AVI=1–0 |match_VEN_BEL=3–1 |match_VEN_FMA=null |match_VEN_FRO=0–4 |match_VEN_GAM=0–1 |match_VEN_GRA=2–2 |match_VEN_JÚB=null |match_VEN_RED=null |match_VEN_REY=0–2 |match_VEN_SAG=null |match_VEN_SFR=0–3 |match_VEN_TOK=1–1 |match_VEN_VEG=null |match_VEN_VIS=null

|name_VIS=[[Vissel Kobe]] |match_VIS_ALB=6–3 |match_VIS_ANT=1–2 |match_VIS_ARD=null |match_VIS_AVI=0–0 |match_VIS_BEL=null |match_VIS_FMA=0–1 |match_VIS_FRO=null |match_VIS_GAM=2–1 |match_VIS_GRA=null |match_VIS_JÚB=4–1 |match_VIS_RED=null |match_VIS_REY=null |match_VIS_SAG=null |match_VIS_SFR=1–1 |match_VIS_TOK=null |match_VIS_VEG=2–2 |match_VIS_VEN=0–2

|update=25 June 2016 |source=[https://data.j-league.or.jp/SFMS01/search?competition_years=2016&competition_frame_ids=1&competition_ids=411&lang=en J. League Data] }}

===Second stage=== {{#invoke:sports results|main |matches_style=FBR|solid_cell=grey |team1=ALB|team2=ANT|team3=ARD|team4=AVI|team5=BEL |team6=FMA|team7=FRO|team8=GAM|team9=GRA|team10=JÚB |team11=RED|team12=REY|team13=SAG|team14=SFR|team15=TOK |team16=VEG|team17=VEN|team18=VIS

|name_ALB=[[Albirex Niigata]] |match_ALB_ANT=0–2 |match_ALB_ARD=null |match_ALB_AVI=3–0 |match_ALB_BEL=0–1 |match_ALB_FMA=null |match_ALB_FRO=null |match_ALB_GAM=null |match_ALB_GRA=0–1 |match_ALB_JÚB=null |match_ALB_RED=1–2 |match_ALB_REY=null |match_ALB_SAG=null |match_ALB_SFR=0–1 |match_ALB_TOK=0–1 |match_ALB_VEG=1–2 |match_ALB_VEN=null |match_ALB_VIS=1–0

|name_ANT=[[Kashima Antlers]] |match_ANT_ALB=null |match_ANT_ARD=1–3 |match_ANT_AVI=null |match_ANT_BEL=1–0 |match_ANT_FMA=null |match_ANT_FRO=0–1 |match_ANT_GAM=1–3 |match_ANT_GRA=3–0 |match_ANT_JÚB=3–0 |match_ANT_RED=1–2 |match_ANT_REY=null |match_ANT_SAG=null |match_ANT_SFR=null |match_ANT_TOK=null |match_ANT_VEG=0–1 |match_ANT_VEN=null |match_ANT_VIS=0–1

|name_ARD=[[RB Omiya Ardija|Omiya Ardija]] |match_ARD_ALB=1–2 |match_ARD_ANT=null |match_ARD_AVI=1–0 |match_ARD_BEL=3–2 |match_ARD_FMA=null |match_ARD_FRO=3–2 |match_ARD_GAM=0–0 |match_ARD_GRA=1–0 |match_ARD_JÚB=null |match_ARD_RED=null |match_ARD_REY=null |match_ARD_SAG=1–1 |match_ARD_SFR=null |match_ARD_TOK=0–1 |match_ARD_VEG=2–1 |match_ARD_VEN=null |match_ARD_VIS=null

|name_AVI=[[Avispa Fukuoka]] |match_AVI_ALB=null |match_AVI_ANT=1–2 |match_AVI_ARD=null |match_AVI_BEL=null |match_AVI_FMA=null |match_AVI_FRO=null |match_AVI_GAM=null |match_AVI_GRA=null |match_AVI_JÚB=2–3 |match_AVI_RED=1–2 |match_AVI_REY=0–4 |match_AVI_SAG=2–3 |match_AVI_SFR=null |match_AVI_TOK=2–1 |match_AVI_VEG=1–1 |match_AVI_VEN=1–2 |match_AVI_VIS=1–4

|name_BEL=[[Shonan Bellmare]] |match_BEL_ALB=null |match_BEL_ANT=null |match_BEL_ARD=null |match_BEL_AVI=0–2 |match_BEL_FMA=0–3 |match_BEL_FRO=2–3 |match_BEL_GAM=1–2 |match_BEL_GRA=null |match_BEL_JÚB=null |match_BEL_RED=null |match_BEL_REY=0–0 |match_BEL_SAG=0–2 |match_BEL_SFR=1–2 |match_BEL_TOK=null |match_BEL_VEG=null |match_BEL_VEN=1–0 |match_BEL_VIS=null

|name_FMA=[[Yokohama F. Marinos]] |match_FMA_ALB=3–1 |match_FMA_ANT=2–2 |match_FMA_ARD=1–1 |match_FMA_AVI=3–0 |match_FMA_BEL=null |match_FMA_FRO=null |match_FMA_GAM=2–2 |match_FMA_GRA=0–0 |match_FMA_JÚB=1–1 |match_FMA_RED=null |match_FMA_REY=null |match_FMA_SAG=null |match_FMA_SFR=null |match_FMA_TOK=null |match_FMA_VEG=null |match_FMA_VEN=null |match_FMA_VIS=3–2

|name_FRO=[[Kawasaki Frontale]] |match_FRO_ALB=3–2 |match_FRO_ANT=null |match_FRO_ARD=null |match_FRO_AVI=3–1 |match_FRO_BEL=null |match_FRO_FMA=3–2 |match_FRO_GAM=2–3 |match_FRO_GRA=null |match_FRO_JÚB=null |match_FRO_RED=null |match_FRO_REY=2–5 |match_FRO_SAG=null |match_FRO_SFR=2–0 |match_FRO_TOK=1–0 |match_FRO_VEG=null |match_FRO_VEN=4–0 |match_FRO_VIS=null

|name_GAM=[[Gamba Osaka]] |match_GAM_ALB=3–1 |match_GAM_ANT=null |match_GAM_ARD=null |match_GAM_AVI=0–0 |match_GAM_BEL=null |match_GAM_FMA=null |match_GAM_FRO=null |match_GAM_GRA=null |match_GAM_JÚB=null |match_GAM_RED=null |match_GAM_REY=null |match_GAM_SAG=2–1 |match_GAM_SFR=1–0 |match_GAM_TOK=3–3 |match_GAM_VEG=3–1 |match_GAM_VEN=2–1 |match_GAM_VIS=0–1

|name_GRA=[[Nagoya Grampus]] |match_GRA_ALB=null |match_GRA_ANT=null |match_GRA_ARD=null |match_GRA_AVI=5–0 |match_GRA_BEL=1–3 |match_GRA_FMA=null |match_GRA_FRO=0–3 |match_GRA_GAM=1–3 |match_GRA_JÚB=1–1 |match_GRA_RED=0–2 |match_GRA_REY=null |match_GRA_SAG=null |match_GRA_SFR=null |match_GRA_TOK=1–1 |match_GRA_VEG=null |match_GRA_VEN=1–3 |match_GRA_VIS=null

|name_JÚB=[[Júbilo Iwata]] |match_JÚB_ALB=1–2 |match_JÚB_ANT=null |match_JÚB_ARD=1–1 |match_JÚB_AVI=null |match_JÚB_BEL=0–0 |match_JÚB_FMA=null |match_JÚB_FRO=1–1 |match_JÚB_GAM=0–2 |match_JÚB_GRA=null |match_JÚB_RED=0–1 |match_JÚB_REY=1–2 |match_JÚB_SAG=1–1 |match_JÚB_SFR=null |match_JÚB_TOK=null |match_JÚB_VEG=null |match_JÚB_VEN=null |match_JÚB_VIS=3–4

|name_RED=[[Urawa Red Diamonds]] |match_RED_ALB=null |match_RED_ANT=null |match_RED_ARD=2–2 |match_RED_AVI=null |match_RED_BEL=4–1 |match_RED_FMA=1–1 |match_RED_FRO=1–2 |match_RED_GAM=4–0 |match_RED_GRA=null |match_RED_JÚB=null |match_RED_REY=2–0 |match_RED_SAG=2–0 |match_RED_SFR=3–0 |match_RED_TOK=null |match_RED_VEG=null |match_RED_VEN=null |match_RED_VIS=null

|name_REY=[[Kashiwa Reysol]] |match_REY_ALB=1–0 |match_REY_ANT=2–0 |match_REY_ARD=1–2 |match_REY_AVI=null |match_REY_BEL=null |match_REY_FMA=1–2 |match_REY_FRO=null |match_REY_GAM=3–2 |match_REY_GRA=3–1 |match_REY_JÚB=null |match_REY_RED=null |match_REY_SAG=2–3 |match_REY_SFR=3–3 |match_REY_TOK=null |match_REY_VEG=null |match_REY_VEN=1–0 |match_REY_VIS=null

|name_SAG=[[Sagan Tosu]] |match_SAG_ALB=1–0 |match_SAG_ANT=1–0 |match_SAG_ARD=null |match_SAG_AVI=null |match_SAG_BEL=null |match_SAG_FMA=2–2 |match_SAG_FRO=1–0 |match_SAG_GAM=null |match_SAG_GRA=0–0 |match_SAG_JÚB=null |match_SAG_RED=null |match_SAG_REY=null |match_SAG_SFR=2–3 |match_SAG_TOK=3–2 |match_SAG_VEG=2–3 |match_SAG_VEN=null |match_SAG_VIS=null

|name_SFR=[[Sanfrecce Hiroshima]] |match_SFR_ALB=null |match_SFR_ANT=2–4 |match_SFR_ARD=0–1 |match_SFR_AVI=4–1 |match_SFR_BEL=null |match_SFR_FMA=2–2 |match_SFR_FRO=null |match_SFR_GAM=null |match_SFR_GRA=2–0 |match_SFR_JÚB=3–0 |match_SFR_RED=null |match_SFR_REY=null |match_SFR_SAG=null |match_SFR_TOK=0–1 |match_SFR_VEG=null |match_SFR_VEN=0–1 |match_SFR_VIS=2–0

|name_TOK=[[FC Tokyo]] |match_TOK_ALB=null |match_TOK_ANT=2–1 |match_TOK_ARD=null |match_TOK_AVI=null |match_TOK_BEL=3–0 |match_TOK_FMA=1–0 |match_TOK_FRO=null |match_TOK_GAM=null |match_TOK_GRA=null |match_TOK_JÚB=3–2 |match_TOK_RED=1–3 |match_TOK_REY=0–1 |match_TOK_SAG=null |match_TOK_SFR=null |match_TOK_VEG=1–0 |match_TOK_VEN=1–0 |match_TOK_VIS=null

|name_VEG=[[Vegalta Sendai]] |match_VEG_ALB=null |match_VEG_ANT=null |match_VEG_ARD=null |match_VEG_AVI=null |match_VEG_BEL=1–0 |match_VEG_FMA=0–1 |match_VEG_FRO=0–3 |match_VEG_GAM=null |match_VEG_GRA=1–2 |match_VEG_JÚB=0–1 |match_VEG_RED=0–1 |match_VEG_REY=4–2 |match_VEG_SAG=null |match_VEG_SFR=0–2 |match_VEG_TOK=null |match_VEG_VEN=null |match_VEG_VIS=3–0

|name_VEN=[[Ventforet Kofu]] |match_VEN_ALB=1–0 |match_VEN_ANT=3–3 |match_VEN_ARD=2–2 |match_VEN_AVI=null |match_VEN_BEL=null |match_VEN_FMA=0–4 |match_VEN_FRO=null |match_VEN_GAM=null |match_VEN_GRA=null |match_VEN_JÚB=0–0 |match_VEN_RED=0–2 |match_VEN_REY=null |match_VEN_SAG=0–1 |match_VEN_SFR=null |match_VEN_TOK=null |match_VEN_VEG=1–1 |match_VEN_VIS=0–3

|name_VIS=[[Vissel Kobe]] |match_VIS_ALB=null |match_VIS_ANT=null |match_VIS_ARD=1–0 |match_VIS_AVI=null |match_VIS_BEL=2–0 |match_VIS_FMA=null |match_VIS_FRO=3–0 |match_VIS_GAM=null |match_VIS_GRA=3–0 |match_VIS_JÚB=null |match_VIS_RED=2–1 |match_VIS_REY=1–1 |match_VIS_SAG=2–2 |match_VIS_SFR=null |match_VIS_TOK=4–1 |match_VIS_VEG=null |match_VIS_VEN=null

|update=3 November 2016 |source=[https://data.j-league.or.jp/SFMS01/search?competition_years=2016&competition_frame_ids=1&competition_ids=412&lang=en J. League Data] }}

==Top scorers== {| class="wikitable" |- !Rank !Scorer !Club !Goals |- !rowspan=2| 1 |{{flagicon|BRA}} [[Leandro (footballer, born February 1985)|Leandro]] |[[Vissel Kobe]] |rowspan=2 style="text-align:center;"| 19 |- |{{flagicon|NGA}} [[Peter Utaka]] |[[Sanfrecce Hiroshima]] |- !3 |{{flagicon|BRA}} [[Cristiano da Silva|Cristiano]] |[[Ventforet Kofu]] / [[Kashiwa Reysol]] |style="text-align:center;"| 16 |- !rowspan=2| 4 |{{flagicon|JPN}} [[Yoshito Ōkubo]] |rowspan=2| [[Kawasaki Frontale]] |rowspan=2 style="text-align:center;"| 15 |- |{{flagicon|JPN}} [[Yu Kobayashi (footballer)|Yu Kobayashi]] |- !rowspan=2| 6 |{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Jay Bothroyd]] |[[Júbilo Iwata]] |rowspan=2 style="text-align:center;"| 14 |- |{{flagicon|JPN}} [[Shinzo Koroki]] |[[Urawa Red Diamonds]] |- !8 |{{flagicon|JPN}} [[Yohei Toyoda]] |[[Sagan Tosu]] |style="text-align:center;"| 13 |- !rowspan=3| 9 |{{flagicon|BRA}} [[Diego Oliveira (footballer, born 1990)|Diego Oliveira]] |[[Kashiwa Reysol]] |rowspan=3 style="text-align:center;"| 12 |- |{{flagicon|JPN}} [[Kazuma Watanabe]] |[[Vissel Kobe]] |- |{{flagicon|JPN}} [[Yuki Muto]] |[[Urawa Red Diamonds]] |} <small>Updated to games played on 3 November 2016</small>

<small>Source: [https://data.j-league.or.jp/SFRT09/search?yearFlag=false&competition_id=1&sub_competition_id=412&section_id=0&number=10&competition_year_id=2016&competition_year=2016&competitionName=MEIJI+YASUDA+J1+LEAGUE&sub_competition=2nd&sectionName=Up+to+date&section_id=0&sub_error_flag=1&sub_competition_flag=2 J. League data site]</small>

==Awards==

===Individual===

{| class="wikitable" |- !Award!!Recipient!!Club |- |[[J.League Player of the Year|Most Valuable Player]]||{{flagicon|JPN}} [[Kengo Nakamura]]||[[Kawasaki Frontale]] |- |[[J.League Best Young Player|Rookie of the Year]]||{{flagicon|JPN}} [[Yosuke Ideguchi]]||[[Gamba Osaka]] |- |[[J.League Top Scorer|Top Scorer]]||{{flagicon|BRA}} [[Leandro (footballer, born February 1985)|Leandro]]<br>{{flagicon|NGA}} [[Peter Utaka]]||[[Vissel Kobe]]<br>[[Sanfrecce Hiroshima]] |}

===Best Eleven=== {|class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;" |- !Position !Footballer !Club !Nationality |- |GK |[[Shusaku Nishikawa]] |[[Urawa Red Diamonds]] |{{fb|JPN}} |- |DF |[[Gen Shoji]] |[[Kashima Antlers]] |{{fb|JPN}} |- |DF |[[Masato Morishige]] |[[FC Tokyo]] |{{fb|JPN}} |- |DF |[[Tomoaki Makino]] |[[Urawa Red Diamonds]] |{{fb|JPN}} |- |DF |[[Tsukasa Shiotani]] |[[Sanfrecce Hiroshima]] |{{fb|JPN}} |- |MF |[[Kengo Nakamura]] |[[Kawasaki Frontale]] |{{fb|JPN}} |- |MF |[[Manabu Saitō]] |[[Yokohama F. Marinos]] |{{fb|JPN}} |- |MF |[[Yōsuke Kashiwagi]] |[[Urawa Red Diamonds]] |{{fb|JPN}} |- |MF |[[Yuki Abe]] |[[Urawa Red Diamonds]] |{{fb|JPN}} |- |FW |[[Leandro (footballer, born February 1985)|Leandro]] |[[Vissel Kobe]] |{{fb|BRA}} |- |FW |[[Yu Kobayashi (footballer)|Yu Kobayashi]] |[[Kawasaki Frontale]] |{{fb|JPN}} |}

Source:<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.jleague.jp/en/news/article/7932/|title = News}}</ref>

==Attendances== These are the attendance records of each of the teams at the end of the home and away season. The table does not include the Championship stages attendances. {{fb a header}} {{fb a team|p=1 |t=[[Urawa Red Diamonds]]|s=627898 |h=56841 |l=22766 |a=36935 |pr=35516 }} {{fb a team|p=2 |t=[[Gamba Osaka]]|s=430806 |h=34231 |l=13731 |a=25342 |pr=15999 }} {{fb a team|p=3 |t=[[FC Tokyo]]|s=408623 |h=37805 |l=11488 |a=24037 |pr=28784 }} {{fb a team|p=4 |t=[[Yokohama F. Marinos]]|s=408072 |h=46413 |l=7033 |a=24004 |pr=24221 }} {{fb a team|p=5 |t=[[Kawasaki Frontale]]|s=376305 |h=26612 |l=14432 |a=22136 |pr=20999 }} {{fb a team|p=6 |t=[[Albirex Niigata]]|s=327923 |h=29692 |l=14627 |a=21181 |pr=23444 }} {{fb a team|p=7 |t=[[Kashima Antlers]]|s=360076 |h=31636 |l=6696 |a=19103 |pr=16423 }} {{fb a team|p=8 |t=[[Nagoya Grampus]]|s=301396 |h=30282 |l=7980 |a=17729 |pr=16240 }} {{fb a team|p=9 |t=[[Vissel Kobe]]|s=289310 |h=25722 |l=11212 |a=17018 |pr=16265 }} {{fb a team|p=10|t=[[Vegalta Sendai]]|s=262937 |h=19315 |l=12504 |a=15467 |pr=13791 }} {{fb a team|p=11|t=[[Sanfrecce Hiroshima]]|s=262888 |h=25845 |l=8602 |a=15464 |pr=16382 }} {{fb a team|p=12|t=[[Júbilo Iwata]]|s=248381 |h=24896 |l=10416 |a=14611 |pr=10041 |nt=†}} {{fb a team|p=13|t=[[Avispa Fukuoka]]|s=218576 |h=19370 |l=5870 |a=12857 |pr=8736 |nt=†}} {{fb a team|p=14|t=[[Sagan Tosu]]|s=214814 |h=20219 |l=6499 |a=12636 |pr=13450 }} {{fb a team|p=15|t=[[RB Omiya Ardija|Omiya Ardija]]|s=200834 |h=13880 |l=9480 |a=11814 |pr=9490 |nt=†}} {{fb a team|p=16|t=[[Shonan Bellmare]]|s=196012 |h=14419 |l=8052 |a=11530 |pr=12208 }} {{fb a team|p=17|t=[[Ventforet Kofu]]|s=184161 |h=15508 |l=7011 |a=10833 |pr=11297 }} {{fb a team|p=18|t=[[Kashiwa Reysol]]|s=182374 |h=13977 |l=7090 |a=10728 |pr=10918 }} {{fb a footer|s=5498222 |h=56841 |l=5870 |a=17968 |pr=17786 |u=3 November 2016 |source=[http://data.j-league.or.jp/SFTD11/search?competition_year=2016&competition_frame=1&competition_sub=411&teamFlag=1 J. League Data] |notes=<sup>†</sup> Team played previous season in J2.|date=December 2016}}

==References== {{reflist}}

{{2016 in Japanese football}} {{J.League}} {{Japanese Club Football|group=first}} {{2016 in Asian Football (AFC)}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:J1 League}} [[Category:2016 J.League|1]] [[Category:J1 League seasons|2016]] [[Category:2016 in Asian men's top-tier association football leagues|Japan]]