A US$38,200 Assist

The Executive Board of the Japanese Organizing Committee announced on April 10th that if the national team makes it through to the second round of the World Cup, each member of the team would receive a bonus. Though exact yen figures were not made public, it is estimated that if, for example, Japan makes it to the second round (best 16) each player would receive a US$38,200 bonus, or more than the average annual income in Japan. For each win in the first round, players will receive US$7,600 on top of their regular salary. If Japan wins all three matches in round one, the media calculates that including his salary each player would take home a total of $73,000. If the team makes it all the way to the best 8, players will be awarded a bonus of $61,100. And, if Japan wins it all, the twenty-three members of the team will each pocket a cool $229,000.

A JAWOC official explained: "There won't be another chance to host the World Cup in this lifetime. We really, really want the team to win…That's why the bonuses will be different from those in the past."

Across the East Sea/Sea of Japan, Korean national team players are each set to earn $76,000 bonuses if the team makes it into the second round, reported the Korean World Cup Organizing Committee.

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