2004-2005
Champion: Chanson V-Magic
2001
Japan Energy beats Chanson for league title
For the first time in 11 years, Japan Energy beat Chanson Cosmetics to
clinch the women's league title on Mar. 7. It was in the 4th game of the
play off that Japan Energy secured the victory by winning 95 to 78. The
champion team's Noriko Hamaguchi was chose MVP.
1999
A dramatic final game for Hagiwara
Mikiko Hagiwara's final game was, in fact, the championship game. Her
team Japan Energy faced Chanson Cosmetics on Jan. 9 at Tokyo's Yoyogi
Gymnasium. Chanson was ahead by 3 points in 1st half of the game. Just
before the end of the final half, Hagiwara succeeded in a 3 point shoot.
Japan Energy defeated Chanson Cosmetics 75 to 72 for the national title
3 years in a row.
1998
Hagiwara decides to quit
It was made known on Aug. 4, that Mikiko Hagiwara does not intend to
play basketball after this season. Instead, she plans to go to college.
Hagiwara left WNBA team, Phoenix Mercury on July 31. She hopes to finish
the season with Japan Energy.
Historical win for women's team
Chanson Cosmetics faced Japan Energy in the women's final in the Japan
Basketball League on Mar. 2. It was a seesaw game. In the end, Chanson's
successful free throws enabled the team to win by 3 points, that is, 72
to 69. Chanson has clinched its 8th consecutive national title. This is
a Japan record. Atlanta Olympic player Murakami played her last game.
All Japan Championship
With only 31 seconds left, Kaori Kawakami of Japan Energy succeeded in
hurling a 3 point shoot. Japan Energy won a dramatic victory of 73 to 72
over Chanson Cosmetics on Jan. 10, 1998 in the all Japan basketball
championship. Japan's first woman pro, Mikiko Hagiwara was also one of
the main players to contribute to the team's 2nd consecutive title.
1997
Japan's first professional woman
Mikiko Hagiwara will be joining the Women's National Basketball
Association in the USA for the coming season. This was officially
announced on Feb.4. Hagiwara was the 2nd highest scorer at the Atlanta
Olympic Games. She will be playing in the WNBA from June to August.
Meanwhile, she will retain her contract with her Japanese team, Japan
Energy. The season in the US does not overlap with the Japanese season.
Her contract for the 3 months is estimated to be 40,000 dollars.
Hagiwara is expected to join practice for the WNBA season on May 28.
1996
A women's corporate basketball team's 100th
straight win
On Oct. 9, Chanson Cosmetics defeated Mitsui Seimei 84 to 73. Chanson
has been winning all games since Feb. 3, 1991, and has become league
champion 6 years in a row. The team that has had the most number of
straight wins before Chanson was Unitika Yamazaki at 44.