In this most unusual of seasons, the J. League has had to grapple with two large and disruptive forces that have threatened to severely disrupt its best-laid plans.
The first, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, has largely been managed after the league suspended its season for four months and rolled out a litany of guidelines and procedures intended to protect players, team officials and fans from the risk of infection.
The other, the Asian Football Confederation and its dismal handling of the Asian Champions League, has proven more difficult to cope with.