Statistics of Japan Football League in the 1997 season.
It was contested by 16 teams, and Consadole Sapporo won the championship.
As a result of Cosmo Oil Yokkaichi's closure the previous year, Jatco and Mito HollyHock were promoted before the season.
The following sixteen clubs participated in Japan Football League Division 1 during the 1997 season.
Because Fukushima and Seino Transportation were disbanded, no relegation has occurred. At the end of the season, the winner and runner-up of Regional League promotion series, Sony Sendai and Albirex Niigata were promoted automatically.