Japan’s influence of the Western world is second only to the K-Pop and drama phenomenon of neighbouring South Korea. But it’s still here. You can see it in all the anime you watch and manga you read. Just look at that CASIO on your wrist as you eat your sushi with chopsticks, your other hand holding the latest Murakami novel.
And let’s not even get started on cars (Toyota, Honda, Nissan) or electronics (Sony, Panasonic, Toshiba) for all these household names this writer arrogantly assumed were American when he was growing up.
The sports world also looks to the Land of the Rising Sun. It figures with some of the skating you’re seeing right now at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina. Even the greatest baseball player the game has even seen is no longer a Babe. It’s Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
His LA neighbour, on the purple and gold side of the City of Angels, is Lakers three-point man, with midrange game, Rui Hachimura. A former top-ten pick and national hero in Japan. Not to mention, one of the Lake Show’s biggest and best role players.
He’s not the first Japanese born player to enter the NBA. Former Phoenix Sun, Yuta Tabuse was in 2004. He’s also not the only one. Fellow countrymen Yuta Watanabe also became dominant from downtown during time with the Suns, Toronto Raptors and Memphis Grizzlies, amongst others.
Watanabe, tired of non-guarantees in the NBA, although his range would have always garnered him a contract, made a major move to head back home a few years ago. Leading the Japanese league dominating Chiba Jets.
In what almost looked like a country to country trade, right after that, Yuki Kawamura went for a Stateside shot. Shooting for the Memphis Grizzlies, the same team Yuta made his debut with.
The little man, standing at five-feet and seven inches, quickly became a fan favourite thanks to his speedy and tenacious play. Not to mention a fond friend of superstar teammate Ja Morant, due to his dancing. We thought he’d be a young Grizzly for years. But you only have to look at the last few weeks, let alone year, to see that Memphis are willing to say goodbye to anyone. Even Defensive Players of the Year and King cooks.
Here in Yokohama, where this writer resides, Yuki Kawamura was a superstar and one of the league’s best for the Yokohama B-Corsairs. Basketball’s popularity is rising in the Far East (shout-out to Coast 2 Coast, AllDay and Utsunomiya’s 3×3), but it still has a way to go to see the sun.
The B-Corsairs play in a swimming pool stadium. But that could all change with the splash Yuki is making in the NBA. Becoming as big in Japan as their manga turned anime ‘The First Slam Dunk’.
Sure, he will spend more time with Chicago’s Windy City Bulls affiliate, but that doesn’t matter. Just like Bronny James showing he can ball in garbage time; the cheers are not condescending for Kawamura.
When he’s putting up stats for Chicago in limited minutes, Yuki is dishing with delight and hallmark handles. The alley to the oop, Kawamura also knows how to get to the hoop with a hard nose.
He’s got no fear like Iverson, and you may also be forgiven for thinking that this dynamic dynamo is Shaq sized when he sparked like dynamite and won a jump ball against an opposing player much taller than he is. Almost an entire foot.
Don’t be surprised if you see him at mid-court for future tip-offs.
There’s nothing minor about the G-League when Yuki Kawamura is putting up numbers like 34 points, 16 assists, and 8 rebounds against the Denver Nuggets’ affiliate. Balling out of control with former Slam Dunk redefining champ Mac McClung (and how about their alley-oop connection?), these guys deserve a call-up to the struggling Chicago.
Kawamura was even cut by the Bulls before the season due to injury. Yet, Chi-town stayed with him, and now he’s back and ready to play and prove he can stay. So much so, even NBA 2K has to up his player ranking to a 75.
Recently, Derrick Rose’s number one was retired. That’s the only thing that will be going into the rafters this year for the new baby Bulls. Chicago may not clinch a championship any time soon, buy they’ve already won with this eighth wonder.
