The Japanese professional basketball league is experiencing a remarkable surge in popularity and financial power, now rivaling major international leagues like the Euroleague and even the NBA in its ability to attract and compensate talent. Yuta Watanabe stands as a prime example of this flourishing environment.
Watanabe’s net earnings in Japan are a substantial figure, exceeding the NBA’s median salary, which is approximately $6.7 million before taxes (roughly $3.5 million to $4 million after taxes). His income in Japan also approaches the NBA’s average salary, which is around $12 million before taxes (or about $6 million after taxes).
Another compelling illustration of this trend is Yuki Kawamura, who earned approximately $2.5 million in Japan during the 2023-24 season. In contrast, he recently signed a “two-way” contract with the Chicago Bulls, which comes with a significantly lower base salary of only $354,794 for the 2025-2026 season.