バスケの新リーグ「Bプレミア」が開幕

Welcome to Japanese Daily News. I'm Maya. Today is September twenty-second. Tonight in Tokyo, Japanese basketball opened a brand-new top league — exactly ten years after the old league's very first game. Let's listen.

Now let's break it down, sentence by sentence.

Japan's new top league for men's basketball opened today.

It means the opening of a season or event.

In the game, Alvark Tokyo faced the Ryukyu Golden Kings.

It means to play against — to face an opponent.

These two teams are the same matchup as the old league's first game exactly ten years ago.

It means a combination — here, a matchup of teams.

Alvark Tokyo won the commemorative game, eighty-four to seventy-three.

It means commemoration — marking a special occasion.

In the new league, promotion and relegation based on game results have been abolished.

It means abolition — ending a system or rule.

Instead, clubs are screened on business standards like revenue, attendance, and arenas.

It means a standard or criterion.

With no fear of relegation, clubs can invest for the long term more easily.

It means investment.

Across the country, construction of new basketball arenas is also under way.

It means construction.

Aiming to become one of the world's top leagues, it has taken a new first step.

It means to step forward — to take a first step.

Let's listen to the whole story one more time.

Time for a short quiz. Listen and try to answer.

Alvark Tokyo and the Ryukyu Golden Kings.

Twenty-six clubs from across the country.

Alvark Tokyo won, eighty-four to seventy-three.

That's all for today. Ten years on, Japanese basketball has stepped into a new era. See you next time.