It has been reported that Nathan has signed with the Sendai 89ers in the Japanese B.League, 1st Division.

https://www.89ers.jp/news/detail/id=16325

Quote from him: "Can’t wait to try some cow tongue"

(beef tongue appears to be the signature dish in Sendai, so the quote makes sense.)

Doing some googling indicates that Japan basketball is growing and their professional leagues pay import players very well, although no indication how much he may be making. He has certainly made the most of using basketball to see the world.

(06-18-2022 06:35 AM)northcoastRocket Wrote:  It has been reported that Nathan has signed with the Sendai 89ers in the Japanese B.League, 1st Division.

https://www.89ers.jp/news/detail/id=16325

Quote from him: "Can’t wait to try some cow tongue"

(beef tongue appears to be the signature dish in Sendai, so the quote makes sense.)

Doing some googling indicates that Japan basketball is growing and their professional leagues pay import players very well, although no indication how much he may be making. He has certainly made the most of using basketball to see the world.

Remember that from the tsunami. Isn't that where it was?

(06-18-2022 10:03 AM)eastisbest Wrote:  

(06-18-2022 06:35 AM)northcoastRocket Wrote:  It has been reported that Nathan has signed with the Sendai 89ers in the Japanese B.League, 1st Division.

https://www.89ers.jp/news/detail/id=16325

Quote from him: "Can’t wait to try some cow tongue"

(beef tongue appears to be the signature dish in Sendai, so the quote makes sense.)

Doing some googling indicates that Japan basketball is growing and their professional leagues pay import players very well, although no indication how much he may be making. He has certainly made the most of using basketball to see the world.

Remember that from the tsunami. Isn't that where it was?

Looks like Sendai is about 50 miles or so North of the Fukushima nuclear plant, so same general region.

I was reading a little more about the Japanese pro league and the salaries there. Average salary for imports is reportedly in the $200k-$400k range, but can stretch to over a mil. But the perks are what's interesting. Reportedly, in Japan, the team pays the players taxes and their agent fees on top of the salary. They also reportedly house the players in upscale apartments, and give them free access to cars and workout facilities and such. Even some restaurants reportedly have deals with the teams and provide free meals to the players. Assuming all that is true, sounds like a good deal for Nathan.

(06-18-2022 12:08 PM)northcoastRocket Wrote:  

(06-18-2022 10:03 AM)eastisbest Wrote:  

(06-18-2022 06:35 AM)northcoastRocket Wrote:  It has been reported that Nathan has signed with the Sendai 89ers in the Japanese B.League, 1st Division.

https://www.89ers.jp/news/detail/id=16325

Quote from him: "Can’t wait to try some cow tongue"

(beef tongue appears to be the signature dish in Sendai, so the quote makes sense.)

Doing some googling indicates that Japan basketball is growing and their professional leagues pay import players very well, although no indication how much he may be making. He has certainly made the most of using basketball to see the world.

Remember that from the tsunami. Isn't that where it was?

Looks like Sendai is about 50 miles or so North of the Fukushima nuclear plant, so same general region.

I was reading a little more about the Japanese pro league and the salaries there. Average salary for imports is reportedly in the $200k-$400k range, but can stretch to over a mil. But the perks are what's interesting. Reportedly, in Japan, the team pays the players taxes and their agent fees on top of the salary. They also reportedly house the players in upscale apartments, and give them free access to cars and workout facilities and such. Even some restaurants reportedly have deals with the teams and provide free meals to the players. Assuming all that is true, sounds like a good deal for Nathan.

Nice! How exciting the opportunities these kids earn.

I recall most of my salary was also free from US taxes. Though he will be FAR above my bracket. Japan is fun but you risk being the designated "could you get that off the top shelf for me" guy. Well, 6'8", I guess he's that anyhow.

Japanese is very phonetic, one of the easier to learn and for me, to "hear" enough to get by language. While there I had a friend, she'd been studying in China and I asked her if she could read Chinese. She said the kanji is the same, they just pronounce them differently. I did not know that. I was always treated well. They are so non-confrontational, even that can be an adjustment. A distinct difference I thought I noticed between Chinese and Japanese, the Chinese like to say "no," and the Japanese "yes" even if they mean or want "no. And rules are rules. Chinese (people) are more like us, pranksters, bend a rule (but DON'T get caught) whereas the Japanese are more conformist and get stressed if someone isn't that way. Probably speaking more of the older generation now.

They say you will be treated very well but you can never BECOME Japanese. Maybe that's changed by now. Boothe will have a lot of fun there. It's a terrific place to leave the tourist route and just risk getting lost. People will always help you. Expensive though, you have to learn where the economics are.

I spent a month in Japan working for Libbey Glass. Took a non-credit course at UT learning Japanese language before going there. Really enjoyed my time there. My hosts were very good to me and my fellow engineers. Nathan will enjoy his stay.

(06-18-2022 10:21 PM)Rocket65 Wrote:  I spent a month in Japan working for Libbey Glass. Took a non-credit course at UT learning Japanese language before going there. Really enjoyed my time there. My hosts were very good to me and my fellow engineers. Nathan will enjoy his stay.

Where was your worksite?

(06-19-2022 07:58 AM)eastisbest Wrote:  

(06-18-2022 10:21 PM)Rocket65 Wrote:  I spent a month in Japan working for Libbey Glass. Took a non-credit course at UT learning Japanese language before going there. Really enjoyed my time there. My hosts were very good to me and my fellow engineers. Nathan will enjoy his stay.

Where was your worksite?

In Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture across Tokyo Bay. On weekends, got to go to Mt. Fugiyama, Tokyo (Ginza, Zoo), Kamakura, and other places.

(06-19-2022 04:21 PM)Rocket65 Wrote:  

(06-19-2022 07:58 AM)eastisbest Wrote:  

(06-18-2022 10:21 PM)Rocket65 Wrote:  I spent a month in Japan working for Libbey Glass. Took a non-credit course at UT learning Japanese language before going there. Really enjoyed my time there. My hosts were very good to me and my fellow engineers. Nathan will enjoy his stay.

Where was your worksite?

In Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture across Tokyo Bay. On weekends, got to go to Mt. Fugiyama, Tokyo (Ginza, Zoo), Kamakura, and other places.

Wow, that would be an experience. It's solid people! I got MAYBE a half week around the Bay. The fish market, Ginza and the Dept Stores and people line dancing in city parks, my vivid memories of Tokyo. And the metro of course. I was just outside Osaka. MUCH more sedate. You had Kamakura (which I didn't get to see), I had Kyoto/Nara.

Boone for sure is in for an experience. The northerm part of the island is supposed to be stunning. Think he'll come back?