“Super Mr. Jets” Fumio Nishimura has announced that he will retire after the 2025-26 season.
In 2009, he joined Hitachi Sunrockers (currently Sunrockers Shibuya) and began his career as a professional basketball player. He joined the Chiba Jets in the 2014-15 season, and for 12 years, he saved the team many times with his brilliant dribbling, accurate assists, and 3-pointers in critical situations, creating an era for the Jets.
Nishimura, who is in his final season, visited Funabashi City Hall one day in December and had a special conversation with Mayor Toru Matsudo✨He looked back on his career to date, and talked about his current thoughts as he approaches the turning point of retirement and his thoughts on his hometown, Funabashi City.🎤
　　
My current thoughts on deciding to retire
Please tell me your current honest feelings.
I don’t feel like I’m retiring yet, but I feel like I’ve accomplished my goal by playing for the Chiba Jets for 12 years. I want to win the title in my final season and finish my career as a player in style.
Looking back on my basketball life
How I started playing basketball
When I was in the first grade of elementary school, I saw the basketball team practicing, and as I was watching out of curiosity, the coach asked me, “Do you want to try shooting?” When I got the shot, I was so happy and happy that I remember telling my parents that night, “I want to join the basketball team!”
Since I was only a first-year student at the time, I wasn’t allowed to participate in on-court practices, but I was always practicing basic skills like dribbling and passing, just like the main character in Slam Dunk, next to the upperclassmen practicing.
When did you start aiming to become a professional?
Actually, I didn’t aim to become a professional from the beginning. I was interested in fashion, so I was looking for a job in the apparel industry when I was in my third year of university. At that time, I talked to my parents, and they encouraged me and said, “Since you’ve been so dedicated to basketball, why don’t you try playing basketball as a professional?” Also, since I hadn’t won any titles, I wanted to continue playing basketball, so I decided to turn professional.
Please tell us how you joined the Jets in 2014.
I remember having a heated conversation with Shinji Shimada, then president of the Chiba Jets (currently president of the Japan Basketball Association and chairman of the B League), at a Japanese restaurant in Funabashi (lol), and without hesitation I said, “I’m going to play for the Chiba Jets next year!”
In the year Nishimura joined the team, the Jets finished the season with their first win, and since then they have evolved into a winning team. How were you feeling?
I’m glad that the team was able to continue to produce results with Mr. Shimada laying the foundation and creating an environment for us. As the league’s size and level have increased, to be honest, there were times when we were desperately trying to keep up.
Yuki Togashi joined the team in 2016 and will be competing in the same position. Has anything changed for Nishimura?
Since I was allowed to compete in second place, I wanted to do something different from what Yuki was doing. Yuki had the ability to break through as an individual, but I wasn’t as strong as Yuki, so I changed to a style of play that was more focused on making use of the players around me and fighting as a team. People around me often say things like, “Fumio changed things,” and I feel like I’ve been able to fulfill the role that was given to me. I’ve been thinking more than anyone else about how to make the team stronger.
Thoughts on home court
Is there anything memorable about Funabashi Arena, which was your home court for a long time?
I used to go there for practice, and I have many fond memories of Funabashi Arena. I remember well the feeling of the arena shaking with the passionate cheers from the audience during close matches and important moments. At that moment, even we standing on the court were so excited that we got goosebumps, and I don’t think I’ll ever forget that feeling.
LaLa arena TOKYO-BAY, which has become the home arena since 2024, is also filled with boosters for every game. How are you feeling?
When I first joined the Jets, I didn’t expect this much support, so I’m both happy and surprised at the same time.
LaLa arena TOKYO-BAY has seats up to the 4th floor, but I’m not good at heights, so I’m thinking “that seat must be scary” (lol)
Relationship with Funabashi City, our hometown
The Jets value their ties with the local community, don’t they?
When I first joined the Jets, I was sometimes surprised by the number of community events the team participated in. I like talking to people, and it’s fun to have relationships with people, so I think the Jets are a very good team because they have close ties to the local community.
The area around Kita-Narashino, where Funabashi Arena is located, has become lively throughout the town, with the local shopping district now filled with Jets fans. Do you have any memories from around Kita-Narashino?
I remember attending a festival in the shopping district the year I joined and doing an autograph session. I think we rented a nearby futon shop as a waiting room. At the event, many local people told me to do my best, which was refreshing as it was my first experience.
Thoughts on the last season
Please tell us your goals for this season
Although we have won many titles, we have only won the league once.
Every year, the mayor asks us to hold a parade, so I think this year is the one. I want to focus on winning even more than usual and cherish each and every match. I’d like to have the torso raised after the parade, so I’d like the mayor to join in as well (lol).
How do you want to spend the rest of the season?
First of all, I want to make it through to my retirement match without getting injured. I would like many people to come to the arena and see my final performance as a player.
Do you have any goals or dreams after retirement?
I would like to continue to be involved in the basketball game that I have supported so far in any way I can.
I’m the type of person who has many things I want to do, so I’d like to try a variety of things.
I respect Mr. Shimada and have set my sights on him, so I’m not aiming to become chairman, but I do have a dream of becoming a manager like Mr. Shimada in the future.
Message to all citizens
We would like you to come to the arena and support Fumio Nishimura as an athlete!
Even after I retire, I would like to continue to be deeply involved with Funabashi City and promote basketball together, so I look forward to your continued support!
profile
Date of birth: September 24, 1986
Height and weight: 177cm 72kg
Position: PG (point guard)
[Career]
Born in Suzuka City, Mie Prefecture
Suzuka City Sotoku Junior High School – Hokuriku High School – Tokai University
2009 (4th year of university) Selected to represent Japan at the 25th Universiade
2009 Joined Hitachi Sunrockers (currently Sunrockers Shibuya)
2009 Selected to represent Japan at the East Asian Games
2014 Joined Chiba Jets
12th year at the company
[Award history]
JBL 2009-10 Rookie of the Year
2018 Emperor’s Cup Top 5
The mayor’s discussion is being broadcast on Funabashi CITYNEWS!
*Click on the image to go to YouTube
(Video viewing starts from 13:00 on January 1, 2020 (holiday))
