The V.Premier League is the top-level volleyball

Volleyball

Volleyball is a team sport in which two teams of six players are separated by a net. Each team tries to score points by grounding a ball on the other team's court under organized rules.The complete rules are extensive...

 league for both men and women in Japan

Japan

Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...

. The league started in 1994.

The competitions are organized by the Japan Volleyball Association.

In 2006 the name of V.League was changed in the V.Premier League.

Clubs 2009/10

The League currently consists of the following member clubs:
Men (8 teams)

• Toray Arrows
  Toray Arrows (men's volleyball team)
  Toray Arrows is a men's volleyball team based in Mishima city, Shizuoka, Japan. They play in V.Premier League. The owner of the team is Toray Industries.-History:...
  
  
• Osaka Blazers Sakai
  Osaka Blazers Sakai
  Osaka Blazers Sakai is a men's volleyball team based in Sakai city, Osaka, Japan. It plays in V.Premier League.The club was founded in 1939 as part of the Kitakyushu, Fukuoka-based Yawata Steel athletic club which also included football club Yawata Steel F.C....
  
  
• Panasonic Panthers
  Panasonic Panthers
  Panasonic Panthers is a men's volleyball team based in Hirakata city, Osaka, Japan. It plays in V.Premier League. The club was founded in 1952.The owner of the club is Panasonic Corporation.-Honours:Japan Volleyball League/V.League/V.Premier League...
  
  
• Suntory Sunbirds
  Suntory Sunbirds
  Suntory Sunbirds is a men's volleyball team based in Osaka city, Osaka, Japan. It plays in V.Premier League. The club was founded in 1973.The owner of the club is Suntory.-Honours:Japan Volleyball League/V.League/V.Premier League...
  
  
• Toyoda Gosei Trefuerza
  Toyoda Gosei Trefuerza
  Toyoda Gosei Trefuerza is a men's volleyball team based in Nishikasugai District, Aichi, Japan. It plays in V.Premier League.Trefuerza is a coined word combining Italian tre and Spanish fuerza...
  
  
• JT Thunders
  JT Thunders
  JT Thunders is a men's volleyball team based in Hiroshima city, Hiroshima, Japan. It plays in V.Premier League. The owner of the club is Japan Tobacco.-History:...
  
  
• FC Tokyo
  F.C. Tokyo (volleyball)
  FCTokyo is a men's volleyball team based in Koto, Tokyo, Japan. It plays in V.Challenge League. The owner of the team is Tokyo Gas-History:*It was founded in 1948 as a 9-men volleyball circle of Tokyo Gas.*It promoted to V.Challenge League in 1998....
  
  
• NEC Blue Rockets
  NEC Blue Rockets
  NEC Blue Rockets is a men's volleyball team based in Fuchu city, Tokyo, Japan. It plays in V.Premier League. The owner of the club is NEC.-Honours:Japan Volleyball League/V.League/V.Premier League*Champion : 1991, 1993, 1995 and 1998...
  
  

Women (8 teams)

• Toray Arrows
  Toray Arrows (women's volleyball team)
  Toray Arrows is a women's volleyball team based in Ōtsu, Shiga, Japan. It plays in V.Premier League. The club was founded in 2000. The owner of the team is Toray Industries.The jersey number of the team is the order of the age.-Honours:...
  
  
• Hisamitsu Springs
  Hisamitsu Springs
  Hisamitsu Springs is a women's volleyball team based in Kobe city, Hyogo and Tosu city, Saga, Japan. It plays in V.Premier League. The club was founded in 1948....
  
  
• NEC Red Rockets
  NEC Red Rockets
  is a women's volleyball team based in Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan. It plays in V.Premier League. The owner of the team is NEC.The club was founded in April 1978 as NEC’s corporate team, participating the same year in the 10th V.Challenge League tournament...
  
  
• Denso Airybees
  Denso Airybees
  Denso Airybees is a women's volleyball team based in Nishio city, Aichi, Japan. It plays in V.Premier League. The club was founded in 1972.The owner of the team is Denso.-Honours:Japan Volleyball League/V.League/V.Premier League...
  
  
• Toyota Auto Body Queenseis
  Toyota Auto Body Queenseis
  Toyota Auto Body Queenseis is a women's volleyball team based in Kariya city, Aichi, Japan. It plays in V.Premier League. The club was founded in 1951.The owner of the team is Toyota Auto Body....
  
  
• Pioneer Red Wings
  Pioneer Red Wings
  Pioneer Red Wings is a women's volleyball team based in Tendo city, Yamagata, Japan. It plays in V.Premier League. The club was founded in 1979.The owner of the team is Tohoku Pioneer-History:...
  
  
• Okayama Seagulls
  Okayama Seagulls
  Okayama Seagulls is a women's volleyball team based in Okayama city, Okayama, Japan. It plays in V.premier League. The club was founded in 1999...
  
  
• JT Marvelous
  JT Marvelous
  JT Marvelous is a women's volleyball team owned by Japan Tobacco Ltd., and based in Nishinomiya, Hyogo, Japan. It plays in V.Premier League.-Honours:Japan Volleyball League/V.League/V.Premier League*Champion :2010-11*Runners-up : 2006-2007, 2009–10...
  
  

Previous winners

• 1967-68 to 1993-94: Japan Volleyball League
• 1994-95 to 2005-06: V.League
• 2006-07 to present: V.Premier League

men

1967-68: Yahata Steel Osaka Blazers Sakai Osaka Blazers Sakai is a men's volleyball team based in Sakai city, Osaka, Japan. It plays in V.Premier League.The club was founded in 1939 as part of the Kitakyushu, Fukuoka-based Yawata Steel athletic club which also included football club Yawata Steel F.C.... 1968-69: Nihon Koukan (NKK) 1969-70: Nihon Koukan (NKK) 1970-71: Nihon Koukan (NKK) 1971-72: Matsushita Denki (Panasonic) Panasonic Panthers Panasonic Panthers is a men's volleyball team based in Hirakata city, Osaka, Japan. It plays in V.Premier League. The club was founded in 1952.The owner of the club is Panasonic Corporation.-Honours:Japan Volleyball League/V.League/V.Premier League... 1972-73: Nihon Koukan (NKK) 1973-74: Shin Nihon Steel Osaka Blazers Sakai Osaka Blazers Sakai is a men's volleyball team based in Sakai city, Osaka, Japan. It plays in V.Premier League.The club was founded in 1939 as part of the Kitakyushu, Fukuoka-based Yawata Steel athletic club which also included football club Yawata Steel F.C.... 1974-75: Shin Nihon Steel Osaka Blazers Sakai Osaka Blazers Sakai is a men's volleyball team based in Sakai city, Osaka, Japan. It plays in V.Premier League.The club was founded in 1939 as part of the Kitakyushu, Fukuoka-based Yawata Steel athletic club which also included football club Yawata Steel F.C.... 1975-76: Shin Nihon Steel Osaka Blazers Sakai Osaka Blazers Sakai is a men's volleyball team based in Sakai city, Osaka, Japan. It plays in V.Premier League.The club was founded in 1939 as part of the Kitakyushu, Fukuoka-based Yawata Steel athletic club which also included football club Yawata Steel F.C.... 1976-77: Shin Nihon Steel Osaka Blazers Sakai Osaka Blazers Sakai is a men's volleyball team based in Sakai city, Osaka, Japan. It plays in V.Premier League.The club was founded in 1939 as part of the Kitakyushu, Fukuoka-based Yawata Steel athletic club which also included football club Yawata Steel F.C.... 1977-78: Nihon Koukan (NKK) 1978-79: Shin Nihon Steel Osaka Blazers Sakai Osaka Blazers Sakai is a men's volleyball team based in Sakai city, Osaka, Japan. It plays in V.Premier League.The club was founded in 1939 as part of the Kitakyushu, Fukuoka-based Yawata Steel athletic club which also included football club Yawata Steel F.C.... 1979-80: Shin Nihon Steel Osaka Blazers Sakai Osaka Blazers Sakai is a men's volleyball team based in Sakai city, Osaka, Japan. It plays in V.Premier League.The club was founded in 1939 as part of the Kitakyushu, Fukuoka-based Yawata Steel athletic club which also included football club Yawata Steel F.C.... 1980-81: Shin Nihon Steel Osaka Blazers Sakai Osaka Blazers Sakai is a men's volleyball team based in Sakai city, Osaka, Japan. It plays in V.Premier League.The club was founded in 1939 as part of the Kitakyushu, Fukuoka-based Yawata Steel athletic club which also included football club Yawata Steel F.C.... 1981-82: Fuji Photo Film 1982-83: Shin Nihon Steel Osaka Blazers Sakai Osaka Blazers Sakai is a men's volleyball team based in Sakai city, Osaka, Japan. It plays in V.Premier League.The club was founded in 1939 as part of the Kitakyushu, Fukuoka-based Yawata Steel athletic club which also included football club Yawata Steel F.C.... 1983-84: Fuji Photo Film 1984-85: Fuji Photo Film 1985-86: Fuji Photo Film 1986-87: Fuji Photo Film 1987-88: Fuji Photo Film 1988-89: Shin Nihon Steel Osaka Blazers Sakai Osaka Blazers Sakai is a men's volleyball team based in Sakai city, Osaka, Japan. It plays in V.Premier League.The club was founded in 1939 as part of the Kitakyushu, Fukuoka-based Yawata Steel athletic club which also included football club Yawata Steel F.C.... 1989-90: Shin Nihon Steel Osaka Blazers Sakai Osaka Blazers Sakai is a men's volleyball team based in Sakai city, Osaka, Japan. It plays in V.Premier League.The club was founded in 1939 as part of the Kitakyushu, Fukuoka-based Yawata Steel athletic club which also included football club Yawata Steel F.C.... 1990-91: Shin Nihon Steel Osaka Blazers Sakai Osaka Blazers Sakai is a men's volleyball team based in Sakai city, Osaka, Japan. It plays in V.Premier League.The club was founded in 1939 as part of the Kitakyushu, Fukuoka-based Yawata Steel athletic club which also included football club Yawata Steel F.C.... 1991-92: NEC NEC Blue Rockets NEC Blue Rockets is a men's volleyball team based in Fuchu city, Tokyo, Japan. It plays in V.Premier League. The owner of the club is NEC.-Honours:Japan Volleyball League/V.League/V.Premier League*Champion : 1991, 1993, 1995 and 1998... 1992-93: Fuji Photo Film 1993-94: NEC Blue Rockets NEC Blue Rockets NEC Blue Rockets is a men's volleyball team based in Fuchu city, Tokyo, Japan. It plays in V.Premier League. The owner of the club is NEC.-Honours:Japan Volleyball League/V.League/V.Premier League*Champion : 1991, 1993, 1995 and 1998...

1994-95: Suntory Sunbirds Suntory Sunbirds Suntory Sunbirds is a men's volleyball team based in Osaka city, Osaka, Japan. It plays in V.Premier League. The club was founded in 1973.The owner of the club is Suntory.-Honours:Japan Volleyball League/V.League/V.Premier League... 1995-96: NEC Blue Rockets NEC Blue Rockets NEC Blue Rockets is a men's volleyball team based in Fuchu city, Tokyo, Japan. It plays in V.Premier League. The owner of the club is NEC.-Honours:Japan Volleyball League/V.League/V.Premier League*Champion : 1991, 1993, 1995 and 1998... 1996-97: Osaka Blazers Sakai Osaka Blazers Sakai Osaka Blazers Sakai is a men's volleyball team based in Sakai city, Osaka, Japan. It plays in V.Premier League.The club was founded in 1939 as part of the Kitakyushu, Fukuoka-based Yawata Steel athletic club which also included football club Yawata Steel F.C.... 1997-98: Osaka Blazers Sakai Osaka Blazers Sakai Osaka Blazers Sakai is a men's volleyball team based in Sakai city, Osaka, Japan. It plays in V.Premier League.The club was founded in 1939 as part of the Kitakyushu, Fukuoka-based Yawata Steel athletic club which also included football club Yawata Steel F.C.... 1998-99: NEC Blue Rockets NEC Blue Rockets NEC Blue Rockets is a men's volleyball team based in Fuchu city, Tokyo, Japan. It plays in V.Premier League. The owner of the club is NEC.-Honours:Japan Volleyball League/V.League/V.Premier League*Champion : 1991, 1993, 1995 and 1998... 1999-00: Suntory Sunbirds Suntory Sunbirds Suntory Sunbirds is a men's volleyball team based in Osaka city, Osaka, Japan. It plays in V.Premier League. The club was founded in 1973.The owner of the club is Suntory.-Honours:Japan Volleyball League/V.League/V.Premier League... 2000-01: Suntory Sunbirds Suntory Sunbirds Suntory Sunbirds is a men's volleyball team based in Osaka city, Osaka, Japan. It plays in V.Premier League. The club was founded in 1973.The owner of the club is Suntory.-Honours:Japan Volleyball League/V.League/V.Premier League... 2001-02: Suntory Sunbirds Suntory Sunbirds Suntory Sunbirds is a men's volleyball team based in Osaka city, Osaka, Japan. It plays in V.Premier League. The club was founded in 1973.The owner of the club is Suntory.-Honours:Japan Volleyball League/V.League/V.Premier League... 2002-03: Suntory Sunbirds Suntory Sunbirds Suntory Sunbirds is a men's volleyball team based in Osaka city, Osaka, Japan. It plays in V.Premier League. The club was founded in 1973.The owner of the club is Suntory.-Honours:Japan Volleyball League/V.League/V.Premier League... 2003-04: Suntory Sunbirds Suntory Sunbirds Suntory Sunbirds is a men's volleyball team based in Osaka city, Osaka, Japan. It plays in V.Premier League. The club was founded in 1973.The owner of the club is Suntory.-Honours:Japan Volleyball League/V.League/V.Premier League... 2004-05: Toray Arrows Toray Arrows (men's volleyball team) Toray Arrows is a men's volleyball team based in Mishima city, Shizuoka, Japan. They play in V.Premier League. The owner of the team is Toray Industries.-History:... 2005-06: Osaka Blazers Sakai Osaka Blazers Sakai Osaka Blazers Sakai is a men's volleyball team based in Sakai city, Osaka, Japan. It plays in V.Premier League.The club was founded in 1939 as part of the Kitakyushu, Fukuoka-based Yawata Steel athletic club which also included football club Yawata Steel F.C.... 2006-07: Suntory Sunbirds Suntory Sunbirds Suntory Sunbirds is a men's volleyball team based in Osaka city, Osaka, Japan. It plays in V.Premier League. The club was founded in 1973.The owner of the club is Suntory.-Honours:Japan Volleyball League/V.League/V.Premier League... 2007-08: Panasonic Panthers Panasonic Panthers Panasonic Panthers is a men's volleyball team based in Hirakata city, Osaka, Japan. It plays in V.Premier League. The club was founded in 1952.The owner of the club is Panasonic Corporation.-Honours:Japan Volleyball League/V.League/V.Premier League... 2008-09: Toray Arrows Toray Arrows (men's volleyball team) Toray Arrows is a men's volleyball team based in Mishima city, Shizuoka, Japan. They play in V.Premier League. The owner of the team is Toray Industries.-History:... 2009-10: Panasonic Panthers Panasonic Panthers Panasonic Panthers is a men's volleyball team based in Hirakata city, Osaka, Japan. It plays in V.Premier League. The club was founded in 1952.The owner of the club is Panasonic Corporation.-Honours:Japan Volleyball League/V.League/V.Premier League...

women

1967-68: Hitachi Musashi 1968-69: Unitika Kaiduka 1969-70: Unitika Kaiduka 1970-71: Unitika Kaiduka 1971-72: Unitika Kaiduka 1972-73: Yashika 1973-74: Hitachi Musashi 1974-75: Hitachi Musashi 1975-76: Hitachi 1976-77: Hitachi 1977-78: Hitachi 1978-79: Kanebo 1979-80: Unitika 1980-81: Unitika 1981-82: Hitachi 1982-83: Hitachi 1983-84: Hitachi 1984-85: Hitachi 1985-86: Hitachi 1986-87: Hitachi 1987-88: NEC NEC Red Rockets is a women's volleyball team based in Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan. It plays in V.Premier League. The owner of the team is NEC.The club was founded in April 1978 as NEC’s corporate team, participating the same year in the 10th V.Challenge League tournament... 1988-89: Hitachi 1989-90: Ito Yokado 1990-91: Hitachi 1991-92: Hitachi 1992-93: Hitachi 1993-94: Hitachi

1994-95: Daiei 1995-96: Unitika 1996-97: NEC Red Rockets NEC Red Rockets is a women's volleyball team based in Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan. It plays in V.Premier League. The owner of the team is NEC.The club was founded in April 1978 as NEC’s corporate team, participating the same year in the 10th V.Challenge League tournament... 1997-98: Daiei 1998-99: Toyobo 1999-00: NEC Red Rockets NEC Red Rockets is a women's volleyball team based in Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan. It plays in V.Premier League. The owner of the team is NEC.The club was founded in April 1978 as NEC’s corporate team, participating the same year in the 10th V.Challenge League tournament... 2000-01: Toyobo 2001-02: Hisamitsu Springs Hisamitsu Springs Hisamitsu Springs is a women's volleyball team based in Kobe city, Hyogo and Tosu city, Saga, Japan. It plays in V.Premier League. The club was founded in 1948.... 2002-03: NEC Red Rockets NEC Red Rockets is a women's volleyball team based in Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan. It plays in V.Premier League. The owner of the team is NEC.The club was founded in April 1978 as NEC’s corporate team, participating the same year in the 10th V.Challenge League tournament... 2003-04: Pioneer Red Wings Pioneer Red Wings Pioneer Red Wings is a women's volleyball team based in Tendo city, Yamagata, Japan. It plays in V.Premier League. The club was founded in 1979.The owner of the team is Tohoku Pioneer-History:... 2004-05: NEC Red Rockets NEC Red Rockets is a women's volleyball team based in Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan. It plays in V.Premier League. The owner of the team is NEC.The club was founded in April 1978 as NEC’s corporate team, participating the same year in the 10th V.Challenge League tournament... 2005-06: Pioneer Red Wings Pioneer Red Wings Pioneer Red Wings is a women's volleyball team based in Tendo city, Yamagata, Japan. It plays in V.Premier League. The club was founded in 1979.The owner of the team is Tohoku Pioneer-History:... 2006-07: Hisamitsu Springs Hisamitsu Springs Hisamitsu Springs is a women's volleyball team based in Kobe city, Hyogo and Tosu city, Saga, Japan. It plays in V.Premier League. The club was founded in 1948.... 2007-08: Toray Arrows Toray Arrows (women's volleyball team) Toray Arrows is a women's volleyball team based in Ōtsu, Shiga, Japan. It plays in V.Premier League. The club was founded in 2000. The owner of the team is Toray Industries.The jersey number of the team is the order of the age.-Honours:... 2008-09: Toray Arrows Toray Arrows (women's volleyball team) Toray Arrows is a women's volleyball team based in Ōtsu, Shiga, Japan. It plays in V.Premier League. The club was founded in 2000. The owner of the team is Toray Industries.The jersey number of the team is the order of the age.-Honours:... 2009-10: Toray Arrows Toray Arrows (women's volleyball team) Toray Arrows is a women's volleyball team based in Ōtsu, Shiga, Japan. It plays in V.Premier League. The club was founded in 2000. The owner of the team is Toray Industries.The jersey number of the team is the order of the age.-Honours:...

External links

• http://www.vleague.or.jp/ - V.League official site (Japanese)