The professional basketball BJ-League "has issued a ban on media access" to The Japan Times for the entire '13-14 season, according to Jack Gallagher of the JAPAN TIMES. The directive "has been relayed to teams around the country by the league office." The Japan Times "was informed of the move" in a letter signed by Commissioner Toshimitsu Kawachi and BJ-League President Hidemitsu Nakano on Oct. 11. The letter stated that "The Japan Times will not be granted season credentials -- as it had for the first eight league campaigns -- or single-game passes due to a dispute over an article by staff writer Ed Odeven on July 12 regarding the Kyoto Hannaryz." In the story in question, "Odeven cited an informed source as saying that at the time the Hannaryz were planning to play one more season" in the BJ-League before jumping to the newly formed National Basketball League. In its initial letter of complaint, BJ-League officials "took issue with the story and asked for a correction and an apology to be run in print." The Japan Times "denied the request and stands by its story" (JAPAN TIMES, 10/29).
