V.League (Japan) 2023/24

The competition operates as the second tier of volleyball in Japan, sitting directly below the SV.League and above the V.Challenge League. Following a major reorganisation in 2024, the structure shifted from a single national division to an East-West conference format. This layout organises the participating clubs geographically to reduce travel burdens during the regular season. The current season features 18 men's teams and 11 women's teams competing within this framework. Clubs such as JT Thunders Hiroshima, JTEKT, Nagano, Nagoya, Osaka Sakai, and Panasonic Panthers contest the matches. Unlike the Emperor's Cup, which utilises a knockout tournament system, this competition determines its outcome through league standings and subsequent playoffs. The format allows for a sustained period of play before the final stages decide the winner. The league's role is distinct within the Japanese pyramid, serving as an open second tier that contrasts with the semi-closed, license-based nature of the top flight. Teams must meet specific criteria to participate, though the requirements differ from those in the SV.League, which mandates an arena capacity greater than 5,000. Historically, the Osaka Bluteon, formerly known as Shin Nihon Steel, have accumulated the most titles in the top-tier lineage, holding 16 honours. Suntory Sunbirds Osaka claimed the inaugural title in the new SV.League structure in 2024–25. The competition remains a central platform for domestic volleyball development, bridging the gap between the elite SV.League and the developmental V.Challenge League.