I was thinking (by the way, I am a Grade 2 referee in Japan, only missing Grade 1 through age, but regularly referee J.league training games for Vissel, and have done Gamba, Nagoya and Cerezo, also) after seeing four or five full games and some highlights, that the J.League referees have suddenly improved big time. there is so much more contact allowed, so many times that advantage is being played – when it helps the attacking team – and, in general, good communication between officials, with Assistant Referees not scared to make their feelings known when the Head Referee misses something.