Even if you have concerns about your body shape, ISETAN MEN'S is a place where you're sure to find clothes you'll love to wear. Each brand offers a wide variety of larger sizes, including XL and above, so even athletes and others who lament that "there are no clothes that fit" due to their body shape are sure to find something they like.

In this project, the buyer in charge of men's authenticity on the 7th floor of Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building coordinates the latest fashion items for such athletes. This time, we feature the JFE East Japan Baseball Club, a powerhouse in corporate baseball, which won its first ever Intercity Baseball Tournament this year. Here, during the official season, players can work shorter hours and travel on weekdays, and the environment is set up so that they can practice baseball every day while carrying the passionate support of the company and the community. Young players come here as a stepping stone to becoming professionals, but it is also a place where they can live their lives with baseball. There, they find wonderful teammates who care for each other like family.

Shinji Nakabayashi (left), Kazuki Inoda (center), and Hiroki Nakajima (right) of the JFE East Japan Baseball Club.

Three players from JFE East Japan, the 2019 Intercity Baseball Tournament champions, made an appearance.

A great place for baseball lovers

There are said to be around 4 million people who play baseball. Of those, fewer than 1,000 will have the opportunity to play as professional baseball players, but there are about 360 corporate and club baseball teams nationwide. For people who dream of going pro but want to make a living with baseball, the environment in which they can play for corporate or club teams, build relationships through baseball, and contribute to the local community is arguably the most well-developed and advanced system among all sports.

The JFE East Japan Baseball Club was founded in 1972 as the Kawasaki Steel Hardball Baseball Club. It is a historic team that was established in 2003 when JFE Steel was formed through a merger with Nippon Steel Corporation. The team has achieved numerous excellent results in amateur baseball tournaments and has produced many professional baseball players. This summer, they achieved their long-awaited first victory in the Intercity Baseball Tournament, the pinnacle of amateur baseball, and are attracting considerable attention from professional scouts.

As the season ended and the team entered a period of recharging before the next, buyer Uematsu visited the team with clothing designed to address the concerns associated with the so-called "baseball physique."

Three different types of "baseball players" who have endless problems with their clothes.

#8 Hiroki Nakajima | A twist batter who excels in both fashion and baseball.

Keiki Nakajima is a powerful outfielder. He experienced winning the national championship in his third year of junior high school and played as the team's undisputed cleanup hitter during his time at Meiji University. In his second year, he won the Meiji Jingu Baseball Tournament and was selected to represent Japan in the Japan-USA University Baseball Championship. In his fourth year, he served as team captain. After joining JEF East Japan, he hit a powerful shot in the final of the 69th All Japan Amateur Baseball Tokyo Sponichi Tournament in his rookie year, winning the batting title and the Rookie of the Year award. In the first game of the 45th All Japan Amateur Baseball Championship this fall against Nippon Steel Muroran Sharks, he hit a go-ahead home run in the first inning, energizing his team and leading them to victory. To add to that, he is attracting attention both inside and outside the country, having been praised as an "incredible twist hitter" on the popular baseball channel "Tokusan TV" on YouTube.

The driving force behind his powerful hitting is his well-trained lower body. With hips measuring 100cm and thighs 60cm, he has considerable weight for someone who is 180cm tall. He must have a lot of trouble finding clothes that fit him.

"I don't have much trouble finding shirts or jackets, but I struggle to find pants that fit my thighs. If I choose pants that fit my waist and hips, the waist is too loose. It's hard to get the balance right. I can find some casual items with a slightly looser silhouette, but it's difficult with dressier fashion. Pants made of stretch material have come out and made things a lot easier, but even with new brands that I'm interested in, I often try them on and end up giving up because I can't wear them after all."

After researching Nakajima's preference for "slim-fitting, neat clothes," Uematsu selected Theory . ISETAN MEN'S store carries sizes XL and above. The fact that the style is similar to what Nakajima usually wears means he can wear it without any problems, which is probably because he is used to wearing clothes. By deliberately choosing dark tones, the outfit visually minimizes the appearance of his large physique, making him look more compact and slim.

In his private life, he loves clothes and apparently often goes shopping. Lately, he has been going to a huge outlet mall in his hometown of Chiba rather than in Tokyo. When he does, he goes shopping with Nobuyuki Nakabayashi, who is also a senior member of his team.

#18 Nobuaki Nakabayashi | A reliable "big brother" figure aiming to become a leader.

Nobuyoshi Nakabayashi is in his tenth year with the team. He is a highly trusted player who provides emotional support to the team. Like Nakajima, he achieved national championship in junior high school and was the driving force behind Keio Gijuku High School's first appearance at Koshien in 45 years and their run to the quarterfinals as a left-handed pitcher. After entering Keio University, he persevered through injuries, but accumulated hardship and effort, achieving a total of 20 wins in his fourth year of university, and even outpitching pitcher Yuki Saito. At JFE East Japan Baseball Club, he has supported the team both openly and behind the scenes, even though he was the second-string pitcher to Kota Suda, the ace of rival Waseda University during his student days.

He says that getting married and starting a family two years ago has changed his approach to baseball. His determination to go pro at all costs has softened, and the option of staying with the team as a coach in the future has become more realistic. By accepting a baseball career that he will walk alongside his supportive teammates and local fans, he has also gained a more observant perspective on those around him. He now has the余裕 (leisure/time) to enjoy communicating with his teammates and colleagues at work, and he and his close junior, Nakajima, sometimes go shopping at outlet malls in Shisui and Kisarazu, or go out for drinks together.

"Nakajima is good at using colors in his private clothes, like adding bright colors. I tend to stick to safe, dark colors, so even though he's my senior in baseball, he's my fashion teacher (laughs)."

She laughs, saying that the bright red sneakers she bought on Nakajima's recommendation have only been worn about twice because she couldn't coordinate them well with outfits. She scratches her head, admitting she's clueless about fashion, but she does have a good grasp of the brands she wears for everyday clothes.

Today, he sported a simple casual look with Levi's jeans and a Gran Sasso knit sweater, topped off with a luxurious Moorer down jacket for a sophisticated, grown-up style. The subtle use of white in the outfit seemed to have given him some insight, prompting him to say, "I think I can try that." He was particularly impressed by the stretchy Levi's 511 jeans, and diligently jotted down the size and model number.




#25 Kazuki Inoda | The team's slugger who hit a dramatic walk-off home run this summer.

Kazuki Inoda, a second-year player who joined the team last year, looks up to Nakabayashi like an older brother. At just 20 years old, he plays catcher. He was a pitcher in junior high school and is known for his long throwing ability. In high school, he played for the prestigious Kobe Kokusai University High School and was nicknamed "Abareru-kun" (Rampaging Boy), and was the undisputed cleanup hitter in Hyogo. In his third year, he made consecutive appearances at the Koshien tournament in spring and summer, and in the fall tournament of his second year, he recorded an astonishing batting average of .475. This summer, after joining JFE East Japan, he played a dramatic game-winning grand slam in the 9th inning of the third round of the Intercity Baseball Tournament against Meiji Yasuda Life, with the score tied 2-2. This play is said to have paved the way for the team's subsequent victory.

The grand slam came after starting pitcher Nakabayashi gave up the hit, putting the score 2-0, when Inoda confidently declared, "I'll do something about it," and delivered. In the eyes of the scouts, he became a standout prospect for next year's draft, and it was a memorable moment of the tournament. Nakabayashi recalls that he was moved to tears by the success of his junior, who had always said, "I want to be Nakabayashi's battery partner someday."

On this day, he draped Diesel's "W-HELBERT" jacket over his large frame. He chose a versatile jacket with a detachable hood and a removable hem that allows him to adjust the length. His pants were also Diesel's signature "Jog Jeans." The material, a mix of denim and sweat fabric, promises exceptional stretch and comfortable wear.

"I don't usually like loose silhouettes and prefer to wear relatively tight clothes, but this is the first time I've ever worn denim that's this stretchy!" he said, as if he'd had an epiphany. As a young man who's only been in Tokyo for six months, he may not have the luxury of shopping in the city's fashionable districts, but Nakajima and Nakabayashi both advise him, "Inoda will be the first overall pick in the draft next year and go pro, so you should wear the nicest clothes you can." Here he is, his youngest "brother," who came here "to go pro," and who supports him both physically and mentally.

Their fashion sense as both baseball players and company employees

Dress etiquette for working adults, passed down from senior colleagues.

Uematsu , I hear you usually dress casually even when you go to work?
Nakabayashi: That's right. There are acceptable limits for what's considered appropriate for a working adult, but it's really left up to the individual.
There aren't any specific rules regarding Nakajima , are there? I don't get told anything in particular about it.
Even at Inoda , shorts are a no-no, right? Although it's left up to the individual, I try to conform to those around me.
At Uematsu Isetan, there's a slight difference in dress code between working on the sales floor and working in the office. Previously, sales floor staff generally wore jackets, shirts, and ties, but recently this has changed depending on fashion trends and the characteristics of each sales area.
At Nakabayashi's workplace, we basically wear uniforms. Since we change clothes, we need to be dressed appropriately for a JFE East Japan employee when using public transportation to and from work.
I'll pass on things like Nakajima 's ripped jeans, though.
If a junior colleague were wearing something like that, I think I'd warn them. I also think that overly flashy accessories are a bad idea.
Inoda : Oh, I take this necklace off when I go to work.
Nakabayashi (laughs). You always wear that when you play baseball, right? It's like a good luck charm for you, isn't it?
Inoda , should I remove it now?
Nakabayashi : No, that's fine. That's your style.
Senior Uematsu passes on not only baseball techniques to his juniors, but also things like proper attire and manners.
Nakajima: It's probably hard for younger people to understand. Personally, I'm hesitant to wear denim to the office, but younger people might think it's okay.


Nakabayashi: I think the Levi's jeans I'm wearing today would be fine. They don't have that typical clunky look of jeans.
Nakajima: Those sweatpants-style pants were in fashion, right? But from the outside, they might look like loungewear, and I think it's not good if they're too casual compared to what other employees are wearing.
Even Uematsu sweatpants come in styles with denim-like prints and a clean, sharp silhouette. Those don't really look like sweatpants at all.
Nakajima seems to really want to try wearing clothes like that.
Many of my colleagues at Nakabayashi come to work in suits. We have practice in the afternoon, so even at drinking parties that we attend after showering, the baseball team is given preferential treatment regarding clothing, and we're told it's okay to wear something comfortable. In those cases, I usually settle for something safe like chinos and a collared shirt or polo shirt.
Inoda , I guess a T-shirt and hoodie wouldn't be appropriate, right?
Uematsu : It's nice to have a light jacket that you can easily throw on.
I'm really interested in Nakajima . I'm always looking for clothes that aren't too formal.
Even the people at Nakabayashi Company are like, "Hey, what's going on?" when the baseball team is all dressed in proper jackets (laughs).

Buyer Uematsu interviews amateur baseball players to learn more about their true personalities.

My feelings about becoming a professional and my baseball career have gradually changed.

Uematsu , today is a weekday morning, isn't it? Thank you all for taking the time to come for the interview. Is it not interfering with your work?
Because Nakabayashi Company is very supportive of the baseball team, everyone around me is very cooperative. Of course, I make sure it doesn't interfere with my work, but normally, whether it's practice or, like today, when I have an interview, they're happy to send me off with a "Go ahead!"
Nakajima, I am truly very grateful.
Uematsu: So, winning the Intercity Baseball Tournament must have been a way of repaying the kindness of those around you, right?
Nakajima: Not only were the people at work happy, but also the fans in the community were very pleased. People would call out to me when I was out and about, like when I was shopping.
Uematsu: In our previous project , we had American football players wear Supermen's clothing, but they usually work full-time jobs and practice after work. And even then, it's not every day, but on specific days of the week. At JFE East Japan, they have practice every afternoon. Plus, they're transported to the practice field by bus. They have a really great environment.
I've really come to appreciate the tremendous support and consideration that Nakabayashi has for the baseball team. That's why we have such a strong desire to repay that support through baseball. I'm relieved that we were able to achieve results.
Nakajima: Until my third year, I aimed to become a professional, but from my fourth or fifth year, my desire to play for the company and my family grew stronger. Since I was invited to practice with them even when I was a student, the manager and coaches are like family that I can trust completely. I want to play for everyone, including the local fans.


Nakabayashi: I feel the same way now. When I came here, I submitted an application to become a professional player, and I was actually disappointed when I wasn't called up to play professionally after graduating from university. For the first three years, I struggled with my desire to become a professional, but this environment where I can play baseball with the support of those around me is truly wonderful. I think the thought of our baseball team is how we can repay this gratitude.
I think Uematsu and Inoda are more inclined towards becoming professionals.
Inoda: I came here to go pro. I see this as a stepping stone to becoming a professional, a place where I can become an even better player.
If Nakabayashi performs well this season, he'll be fine. He'll definitely make it to the pros! We'll support him.
Uematsu's corporate baseball team has a very family-like atmosphere, connecting the company, the workplace, and the teammates. Moreover, the relationships are incredibly strong.
Nakabayashi : In reality, players in the same position are rivals. When I was younger, if a player close to my age was pitching, deep down I would sometimes think, "I hope they get hit." Otherwise, I wouldn't get a chance to play.
Uematsu: Pitcher Kota Suda, who is currently a key player on the team, also had a successful professional career as a player for the DeNA BayStars, but before that, they played together at JFE. This year, he won the MVP award at the Intercity Baseball Tournament and the Hashido Award, but are they still rivals?
Nakabayashi: Right now, I see him less as a rival and more as a teammate I trust and who I'm striving to reach the top with. He has professional experience, so his skills are definitely there.
For outfielder Nakabayashi , the starting and reserve positions are rivals. Even when he's on the bench during a game, he cheers on the starting players from the dugout and is happy for their success, but deep down, he feels like he's not genuinely happy for them. Nevertheless, they remain teammates striving for the same "victory."


Up until I was in Inoda High School, I was always a starter, so I never really thought about it, but now that I'm working, I've felt frustrated in games where I wasn't a regular. Sometimes I wonder if the catcher today would have been any better off if he'd been hit by a pitch (laughs).
Uematsu: It's by overcoming those kinds of emotions that a sense of camaraderie is cultivated.
For baseball player Nakabayashi , the team is the top priority. He comes second. He knows he can't win if he's the only one on the team. Understanding that is the key to team sports. Once the official season starts, everyone becomes united by the desire to win. I think that unwavering commitment is what creates such a strong sense of camaraderie.
Uematsu: So, winning the Intercity Baseball Tournament was the ultimate stage for you, wasn't it?
Nakabayashi was fantastic. Just like in college baseball, official games are important as events, so I think all the players, not just the individuals, really enjoyed themselves. We were primarily focused on winning, but I can proudly say that we were the team that enjoyed it the most out of all the teams.


Nakajima: We were all able to share the joy of winning together. It's a completely different scale from high school or university. It made me really happy when my colleagues, affiliated companies, group companies, and people in the community congratulated me and also said they had a great time.
I thought I might get nervous playing in front of a large crowd, like at the Inoda Koshien tournament, but I was surprisingly able to play without feeling nervous, which I think contributed to the result. The atmosphere in the dugout was great, and I was relaxed throughout the game.
Nakabayashi was more nervous today, wasn't he? (laughs)
Inoda : Yes, posing in front of the camera earlier was the most nervous I've ever been in my life (laughs).
Uematsu 's grand slam in the Intercity Baseball Tournament was amazing, wasn't it?
Inoda , thank you. I was happy about that too.
Nakabayashi , I was the one who was happiest. In that game, I was the starting pitcher and got hit hard, so I was feeling down in the dugout, but I'm really grateful that you came through and sealed the deal at the very end.
Even if it wasn't a grand slam for Nakajima , it would have been fine if it had just gone over the heads of the infielders (laughs).
Inoda : I don't have that kind of skill myself (laughs).
Because Nakabayashi is Bunbunmaru (laughs).


They have a genuine "family love" for their younger teammates who want to turn professional.

Uematsu and the others seem to be good friends even in their private lives.
I often go shopping and drinking with Nakabayashi and Nakajima .
I like Nakajima clothing, so I sometimes go to their outlet stores. But because of the size limitations, I tend to end up buying the same brands all the time.
Nakabayashi: I think this is a common problem for anyone involved in sports.
Because it's Nakajima , I'm very grateful that I was able to learn about and discover new brands like today.
For some Uematsu brands, Isetan has specially commissioned larger sizes that aren't usually available.


I believe clothing is very important. Even among businessmen, those who wear suits well seem capable at their jobs, don't they? Baseball players look more skilled if they wear their uniforms well, and in fact, good players look good in their uniforms. People who dress well in their casual clothes also seem like they are responsible members of society, and in fact, responsible people tend to dress neatly.
Inoda : I'm a big guy, so choosing clothes is a challenge. But I try to avoid wearing clothes that are too big for me.
Nakabayashi : If you're big and wear oversized clothes, it just looks like you're trying to be comfortable. It also makes you look lazy and unmotivated.
Isn't Nakajima's lower body particularly difficult? Even his suit has different sizes for the top and bottom.
Nakabayashi suits are basically all custom-made, right? Actually, I might only ever wear custom-made suits. I think there are no clothes that fit me perfectly (laughs).
Uematsu Suits also has a category called "set-up suits." Instead of a set where the top and bottom are the same size, you can combine different sizes, so you can go up two sizes for the pants, for example.
Is it okay if Inodaue is big?
Uematsu : Of course. Some brands even have sizes up to 4XL.
Nakajima pants are best made with a stretch blend material. With regular fabric, you can't squat properly. I always ask the shop, "Which pants have the most stretch?"
Whether Nakabayashi can squat is important, isn't it? Also, chafing in the crotch area is often a problem.
Don't you think a lot of baseball players like Nakajima rip the crotch area of their jerseys?
Inoda does it all the time (laughs).
Nakabayashi : Because it's a sport where you often have to maintain a low center of gravity, you need to train your lower body. But then it becomes a vicious cycle where you can't wear clothes anymore.


At Uematsu ISETAN MEN'S store, we offer a range of sizes for each brand to suit people of all sizes. There are plenty of clothes you can take home the same day without having to order them, so please come visit us.
Inoda: I haven't decided where to buy clothes since I arrived here, so I'll stop by.
Nakabayashi Inoda is going to be the first overall pick in next year's draft, so he needs to get a suit ready for his signing press conference!


Photo: Tatsuya Ozawa
Text: Yasuyuki Ikeda

*All prices include tax.

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