Don't call us grannies: Meet Japan's senior cheer squad

Don't call us grannies: Meet Japan's senior cheer squad

Advertisement

Pompoms rustle and silver shoes flash as "Japan Pom Pom" practices, moving to a lively cheer dance beat. With members ages 60 to 89, they're no ordinary squad.

But don't you dare call them grannies.

. Tokyo, Japan. Reuters/Kim Kyung-Hoon
. Tokyo, Japan. Reuters/Kim Kyung-Hoon

Left: Takino poses for a commemorative photo.
Right: Takino talks to a squad member during a break from filming.

"Right at the start, we weren't very happy about being called 'granny cheer dancers,'" says Fumie Takino, the bubbly, energetic 89-year-old who founded Japan Pom Pom - average age, 72 years - more than 25 years ago.

At a recent weekly practice, resumed after a year off, mask-wearing members checked temperatures before stretching, then moved into their dance routines - socially distanced, of course.

. Tokyo, Japan. Reuters/Kim Kyung-Hoon
Members maintain social distancing as they practice a dance routine during a weekly practice session.

Though most wore sweatpants and t-shirts with a glittery "Japan Pom Pom", for performances they don sequined, mini-skirted cheer costumes. For one routine, Takino wears a leather biker jacket and shades; in another, all sport silver wigs.

"It's dancing; moving your body is nice," she said. "And the costumes are unbelievably showy. Some people join just so they can wear them."

. Tokyo, Japan. Reuters/Kim Kyung-Hoon
Takino and other members pose for commemorative photos.

Originally started with five people 26 years ago after Takino saw an overseas senior cheer squad in the news, the group now has 17 active members. Members, all older than 55, must pass auditions.

Now the group is featured in government pamphlets about active seniors, appears periodically in TV reports, and performs in popular charity shows.

. Tokyo, Japan. Reuters/Kim Kyung-Hoon
. Tokyo, Japan. Reuters/Kim Kyung-Hoon

Left: Takino stretches with other members of Japan PomPom.
Right: Squad members prepare to film a dance routine.

Japan, one of the world's most rapidly ageing nations, with almost 30% of its population older than 65, is known for the longevity of its seniors. But acceptance of the squad took time in a nation with fixed notions about senior life.

"We went to a senior-citizens club, and they really didn't like us. They didn't smile even once. 'Japanese women, wearing things like that, at their ages!'" Takino recalls. "Now, I think about half of people are okay with us and half still can't accept us."

. Tokyo, Japan. Reuters/Kim Kyung-Hoon
Shimada prepares to film a dance routine.

Members comment about the boost from practicing together and Takino's positive outlook.

"As our leader says, try anything," said Tami Shimada, 69. "If you're interested in something, forget about your age, forget about people saying it's no good for that reason... I think that leads to a reason to live."

. Tokyo, Japan. Reuters/Kim Kyung-Hoon
Shimada plays with her granddaughter Elisa, 4, as her daughter-in-law Tomoko, 44, looks on at a park.

Takino, who has three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, with another on the way, practices what she preaches.

She's tried scuba-diving, parasailing, ukulele and sky-diving, which she calls "the greatest," and got a master's degree in the U.S. in her 50s. Now she also studies Spanish, attends a dance class for seniors and takes walks. She's obsessed with computer solitaire.

Each night, she drinks a small beer, and says an appendectomy has been her only health issue so far.

. Yokohama, Japan. Reuters/Kim Kyung-Hoon
Takino stretches at her home on the day Japan declared its third state of emergency.

Takino can't believe she'll be 90 next year, but reluctantly confesses she doesn't think she'll still be cheering at 100, though the group wants her to.

"The last three or four years I've started to feel tired a lot more easily. Then having to be home because of the pandemic really meant my stamina fell. I don't feel anything while I'm practicing, but then the next day I feel pretty tired," she said. "I forget everything while I'm dancing."

1 / 13

Slideshow

Takino walks to her team's weekly practice session.
. Tokyo, Japan. Reuters/Kim Kyung-Hoon

Takino walks to her team's weekly practice session.

A member of Japan PomPom cleans the studio floor before a weekly practice session.
. Tokyo, Japan. Reuters/Kim Kyung-Hoon

A member of Japan PomPom cleans the studio floor before a weekly practice session.

Members of Japan PomPom have their temperatures checked before their weekly practice session.
. Tokyo, Japan. Reuters/Kim Kyung-Hoon

Members of Japan PomPom have their temperatures checked before their weekly practice session.

Takino wears a protective face mask as she prepares to film a dance routine.
. Tokyo, Japan. Reuters/Kim Kyung-Hoon

Takino wears a protective face mask as she prepares to film a dance routine.

A member of Japan PomPom puts on shoes.
. Tokyo, Japan. Reuters/Kim Kyung-Hoon

A member of Japan PomPom puts on shoes.

Takino checks her makeup before filming a dance routine for an online performance.
. Tokyo, Japan. Reuters/Kim Kyung-Hoon

Takino checks her makeup before filming a dance routine for an online performance.

Takino sets up a video camera to film the team's dance routine.
. Tokyo, Japan. Reuters/Kim Kyung-Hoon

Takino sets up a video camera to film the team's dance routine.

Members of Japan PomPom perform a dance routine.
. Tokyo, Japan. Reuters/Kim Kyung-Hoon

Members of Japan PomPom perform a dance routine.

Members pose for a photograph for their commemorative photos.
. Tokyo, Japan. Reuters/Kim Kyung-Hoon

Members pose for a photograph for their commemorative photos.

Takino and other Japan PomPom members perform a dance routine.
. Tokyo, Japan. Reuters/Kim Kyung-Hoon

Takino and other Japan PomPom members perform a dance routine.

Members of Japan PomPom laugh after posing for commemorative photos.
. Tokyo, Japan. Reuters/Kim Kyung-Hoon

Members of Japan PomPom laugh after posing for commemorative photos.

Members look at a video of them performing a dance routine for a filmed online performance.
. Tokyo, Japan. Reuters/Kim Kyung-Hoon

Members look at a video of them performing a dance routine for a filmed online performance.

Takino leaves the studio after filming a dance routine.
. Tokyo, Japan. Reuters/Kim Kyung-Hoon

Takino leaves the studio after filming a dance routine.