Tension-filled basketball clashes jeopardize Japan's aspirations for hooping triumphs
🏀 Japan's B. League on the Rise:
Once a modest player on the world stage, Japan's B. League is now experiencing a surge in popularity, drawing record crowds and revenue. Ambitions run high, with plans to challenge the NBA and Europe's top leagues.
"It's a mix of sport and live entertainment that offers Japanese fans something fresh," says league chairman Shinji Shimada. "Many first-time spectators find it more intriguing than football or baseball and wish to return."
The league is already making headway on the business front, matching some European and Chinese leagues. Teams have recruited NBA veterans like Alize Johnson, hoping to narrow the gap on the court.
NBA Stars in Japan
Teams have signed NBA vets like Johnson, who played alongside NBA titans Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden at the Brooklyn Nets. Johnson admits he knew nothing about the B. League while in the NBA, but recommends it to other pros looking for a comfortable landing spot.
Homegrown Talent
The B. League also invests in local stars, bringing back national team ace Yuta Watanabe after six years in the NBA. Watanabe, a 30-year-old rookie in Japan, has struggled with injuries but is ready for playoff action.
Watanabe and Hachimura are Japan's basketball poster boys, earning adoration after qualifying for the Paris Games at the 2023 World Cup in Okinawa. However, three months later, tensions boiled over when Hachimura threatened to quit the team after a public rebuke of Japan's basketball authorities.
Accusing them of prioritizing profits, Hachimura also cast doubt on head coach Tom Hovasse, who led Japan's women to silver at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. Hachimura remains undecided about his future, and Watanabe hopes a healing process can begin.
Domestic Discord
Communication issues could pose a threat to the B. League as it gears up for a rebrand to the B. League Premier from the 2026-27 season. The league aims to usher in a salary cap and boost the number of overseas players from two to three.
These changes have sparked controversy with the players' association, who fear Japanese players may see reduced playing time and earnings. Shimada insists the reforms are essential for overall improvement and more thrilling games for fans.
Watanabe urges unity and collaboration to avoid damaging fan engagement, especially since the league has grown popular. "I worry that fans may stop attending games if Japanese players are harder to find on the court," says Watanabe.
© 2025 AFP
NOTE:
The B. League Premier, slated to launch from the 2026-27 season, represents Japan's push to strengthen its basketball scene. Key changes include the introduction of a salary cap and an increase in the number of forieg-n players on the court1. These reforms aim to boost competitiveness and attract international talent while potentially impacting Japanese players' opportunities and fan engagement.
- The B. League Premier, due to start in the 2026-27 season, seeks to bolster Japan's basketball scene, introducing a salary cap and increasing the number of foreign players on court.
- Significantly, these reforms aim to enhance competitiveness and attract international talent, possibly impacting the opportunities and fan engagement of Japanese players.
- Amidst these changes, Yauta Watanabe, a national team ace, expresses concerns about reduced playing time and fan turnout if Japanese players become less visible on the court.
