Hachimura is the first Japanese player to be taken in the first round of the NBA DraftGETTY IMAGES
Nissin Foods this week kicked off one of rookie Wizards F Rui Hachimura's "first big marketing campaigns in Japan," as the company during an introductory press conference "proudly displayed an oversized noodle container bearing" Hachimura's image, according to KYODO NEWS. Hachimura is the first Japanese player to be taken in the first round of the NBA Draft, and he said, "When you think of Japan, you think of cup noodles." Hachimura: "It's a food that I've been around and eaten since I was a little boy. It is a real honor for me to start a contract (with Nissin Foods)." Nissin also sponsors Japanese tennis players Naomi Osaka and Kei Nishikori (KYODO NEWS, 7/24). In Japan, Kaz Nagatsuka noted Hachimura has seen his "fame and marketability skyrocket" since being picked No. 9 overall in last month's Draft. Shortly after his arrival in Japan last week, Hachimura "shot his first-ever commercial, which is currently being broadcast online, for Nissin." The clip was revealed for the first time on Monday. Hachimura: "It was my first commercial, but it is very cool" (JAPAN TIMES, 7/22).
