Sometimes making absurd demands can be the best way to drive people to better their efforts.

That¡¯s how it seems to be working for Japan¡¯s various men¡¯s basketball clubs in the race to form a unified league by 2016.

On Wednesday, the 47 clubs were officially notified of the criteria for joining the new men¡¯s top circuit, which would tip off in the fall of 2016, following the second meeting of Japan 2024 Task Force in Tokyo.