Japan basketball star Yuta Watanabe sticks to brand‑new shoes for every game

Japan men’s national team forward Yuta Watanabe, who plays for Chiba J, attended the Asics Basketball Dream Project 2026 at Waseda University in Tokyo on 25 May. He took part in a 5‑on‑5 mini‑game with middle‑ and high‑school students and later spoke about his footwear routine. Watanabe said he replaces his basketball shoes after wearing them about three times, preferring to keep them in a "new‑condition" state. He noted that he uses custom‑fit insoles and carries multiple pairs for training and matches, estimating a very high annual shoe consumption.

The event also featured other top Japanese players such as Ryusei Shinoyama and Nanako Higashitani, and Watanabe looked ahead to the launch of the domestic B Premier league in September.