The new regulation will allow J. League clubs to sign a non-Japanese player from an AFC member associations in addition to the current three foreign player's allowed, although this will not be a mandatory rule.

The change is expected to be approved at a Japan Football Association executive committee meeting next month.

J. League chairman Kenji Onitake has explained the new rule will be introduced in an attempt to raise the standard of Japanese players' performance and the game quality as well as developing business opportunities in Asia.