The Chiba Jets Funabashi has launched the Innovation Partner program to create new relationships with companies. ## What is the Chiba Jets Funabashi's new initiative?
According to Maika Miyazaki from Dentsu Inc. Sports Business Division, the Japanese basketball scene is currently experiencing rapid growth. The B.League, which was established in 2016, has just entered its fifth season. The first game, which featured Japan's first LED court and live terrestrial broadcast, made a strong impression, and attendance has been increasing every year. Tickets for events like the All-Star Game and Finals consistently sell out instantly. ## The current state of Japanese basketball
The Japanese men's national team secured an Olympic berth for the first time in 44 years and qualified directly for the World Cup for the first time in 21 years. The remarkable achievement of Rui Hachimura being selected in the first round of the NBA Draft also made headlines, signaling that Japanese basketball has entered an extraordinary era. There are over 600,000 basketball players in Japan. ## The purpose of Innovation Partner
According to Seiya Tamura, President of the Chiba Jets Funabashi, the purpose of the Innovation Partner is to create a new relationship between sports teams and companies. The sports team provides solutions to the marketing challenges of companies. ## Future prospects
The Japanese basketball scene will continue to grow in the future. The development of smart arenas and the 2023 World Cup are scheduled to be held in Okinawa. This will further elevate the value of basketball as a spectator sport and create new business opportunities.