Japanese 'salarymen' inspire with cheerleading acrobatics
TOKYO - It's a cold, wet morning and frigid air is seeping through the open doors of a college gymnasium in Tokyo. But that doesn't seem to worry Soichiro Kakimoto and 30 other young businessmen as they gear up for their weekend routine: cheerleading.
"Smile when times are tough!" shouts a tall man with an eager smile. The others -- all dressed in dark suits and ties --pump their fists and jam to the upbeat music that fills the space.
Their chants echo through the gymnasium.
"Yes you can! You can definitely do it! Go, Japan! Go Japan!"
The young men are all about spreading cheer through their eye-popping acrobatic performances, volunteering their weekends at shopping malls and other venues to entertain crowds.
Calling themselves "Cheer Re-Man's" -- a mash-up of "cheerleading" and "salaryman" -- the group, formed in 2023, is made up of alumni from the elite Waseda University's male cheerleading squad.
Their day-jobs range from real estate sales to marketing, and they balance their professional lives with their passion for cheerleading. For practice, the squad often borrows half the gym from a female college cheerleading team in exchange for biscuits.
From Monday to Friday, Kakimoto is the quintessential Japanese salaryman, commuting in crowded trains, working late and going out drinking with colleagues, wearing the stretchy navy Uniqlo suit that doubles as his cheerleading uniform.
"On weekdays, I use my brain and on weekends, I use my body. Even if one isn't well, the other might be, and that's contributing to my overall mental health," said the 23-year-old, who works at a software development company.
"If we, Japanese salarymen, can do what we're passionate about, then everyone else can keep chasing their dreams too."
The unusual sight of Japanese corporate warriors being launched 7 metres (23 feet) into the air in synchronised routines won them an online commercial spot to advertise the stretchy Uniqlo suits they wear for their performances.
The group also competed in "Britain's Got Talent", where they came third in their semi-final.
On a recent weekend, the suited men performed in front of a huge crowd at a shopping mall with gravity-defying stunts, human towers and infectious energy.
Yasuko Yamaki, a 61-year-old housewife who learned about the group three months ago through social media, was there to see the spectacle.
"In Japan, we're all going through a lot. Watching these salarymen putting in so much without giving up makes me cry," she said. "It's so inspirational." REUTERS
Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

Straits Times
25 minutes ago
- Straits Times
Austrian association urges FIA members to reject statute changes
Formula One F1 - Bahrain Grand Prix - Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir, Bahrain - April 13, 2025 FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem with third placed McLaren's Lando Norris after the Bahrain Grand Prix REUTERS/Rula Rouhana/File Photo MONTREAL - The Austrian Automobile Association (OAMTC) has urged FIA members to reject proposed statute changes it fears will damage motorsport's world governing body and limit opposition to the re-election of president Mohammed Ben Sulayem. In an unsigned June 10 letter emailed to the mobility section of the FIA's world council, and seen by Reuters, the OAMTC set out its opposition to a vote on the agenda of the FIA General Assembly in Macau on Thursday. "We appeal to all members to support our motion to remove the voting on the proposed FIA statute changes from the General Assembly's agenda," the letter said, suggesting a postponement to a later meeting. "There is no urgency regarding these proposed changes ... they risk further contributing to the erosion of the FIA's reputation for competent and transparent governance. "It cannot be - and is not - a coincidence that changes relevant to the FIA's elections have been promoted by the FIA's leadership at the same time as the FIA's incumbent president has announced an intention to run in those elections. "Where there is even a risk of these changes appearing to benefit the current FIA administration, and not the FIA itself, the changes should not be adopted." An International Automobile Federation spokesperson in London was not immediately aware of the letter but confirmed the vote was scheduled for Thursday. Those attending the gathering in Macau could not be reached immediately for comment. The OAMTC said the eight proposed statute changes raised issues of fairness and consistency, and that they would discourage opposition to Ben Sulayem. Ben Sulayem is standing for re-election in December, with no rival candidate so far coming forward. He told Reuters last month when he confirmed he was standing that he welcomed competition. Ben Sulayem recognised he had enemies but said he was confident he had the support of a majority of FIA members. "I only have to answer to my members. And they are happy. Actually, they are very happy. They are extremely happy," he said. The Emirati has been involved in several controversies since he took over in 2021 and has been at loggerheads with drivers as well as drawing criticism from FIA insiders, while some senior employees have left. Briton Robert Reid, a former close ally who quit as an FIA deputy president in April, wrote in his resignation statement of a "fundamental breakdown in governance standards" at the governing body. Reid and Motorsport UK head David Richards had opposed other statute changes approved by the General Assembly last December that they said limited the powers of audit and ethics committees. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

Straits Times
44 minutes ago
- Straits Times
Trump met with cheers, boos at Kennedy Centre as he attends ‘Les Miserables'
US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump attend "Les Miserables" opening night at the Kennedy Centre in Washington DC on June 11. PHOTO: REUTERS Trump met with cheers, boos at Kennedy Centre as he attends 'Les Miserables' WASHINGTON - US President Donald Trump was greeted with a high-volume mix of boos and cheers on June 11 as he took his seat for his first production at the Kennedy Centre, the performing arts facility he has subjected to a conservative takeover. The mixed reception for Mr Trump and his wife Melania as they arrived in the presidential box before a performance of 'Les Miserables' reflected the heightened emotions that have been unleashed by his overhaul of the cultural centre. Mr Trump has pushed out its former chairman, fired its longtime president and pledged to overhaul an institution that he criticised as too liberal. Ticket sales have fallen since. There were many empty seats in the 2,300-capacity theatre shortly before the show started, even though the event was sold out. Mr Trump's first appearance was meant to boost fundraising for the John F. Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts, and he said donors raised over US$10 million (S$12.83 million). 'We're going to make it incredible. We have all the funding. We raised a lot tonight, and we'll put in a lot of money to bring it back to the highest level,' a tuxedo-clad Mr Trump told reporters after other administration officials arrived on the red carpet. Still, overall year-on-year subscription revenue was down 36 per cent to US$2.8 million as of early June for next season, which begins in the autumn, according to one person briefed on the data. Theatre subscriptions, normally a major revenue driver for the centre, were down 82 per cent. A Kennedy Centre official said the comparisons reflected in those subscription sales were not accurate because the centre had launched its subscription renewal campaign later in 2025 than 2024. 'Our renewal campaign is just kicking off,' Ms Kim Cooper, senior vice-president of marketing, said in a statement. Ms Cooper also noted the centre had launched a new subscription option that allowed customers to 'mix and match' genres, and said more announcements of shows were coming. The Kennedy Centre depends on revenue from tickets and subscriptions as well as donations to operate. Ticket sales for 'Les Miserables' have been robust, according to another Kennedy Centre official. Donors who pay US$100,000 to US$2 million got to attend a reception before the show, receive a photo with the president and be seated in good locations in the theatre. 'We've raised a little more than US$10 million for tonight, which is pretty remarkable, and it's an organisation that needs the money right now,' said Mr Ric Grenell, a close Mr Trump ally and former ambassador to Germany who now heads the Kennedy Centre. Under his leadership, the centre has sought to add more conservative-leaning programming, including a show that Mr Grenell has described as a celebration of the birth of Christ. Mr Trump said he particularly enjoyed 'Les Miserables,' a musical about citizens rising up against their government. 'I've seen it many times, it's one of my favourites,' he said. Mr Trump's appearance comes just days after he sent US Marines and the National Guard to quell protests against his administration's immigration raids in Los Angeles. Along with the first lady, Vice-President JD Vance, Attorney-General Pam Bondi and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr also attended. VMr ance was likewise met with boos when he attended a Kennedy Centre show with his wife earlier in 2025. Mr Trump has zeroed in on drag shows to argue that the Kennedy Centre had lost its way before he took office. But multiple upcoming musicals on the Kennedy Centre's agenda include characters dressed in drag, such as 'Mrs. Doubtfire' and 'Chicago.' Other musicals have pulled out, according to a former Kennedy Centre official. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

Straits Times
an hour ago
- Straits Times
Trump says again he will set unilateral tariffs in two weeks
US President Donald Trump had initially suggested he would engage in talks with each partner but has moved away from that idea. PHOTO: DOUG MILLS/NYTIMES Trump says again he will set unilateral tariffs in two weeks WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump said he intended to send letters to trading partners in the next one to two weeks setting unilateral tariff rates, ahead of a July 9 deadline to reimpose higher duties on dozens of economies. 'We're going to be sending letters out in about a week and a half, two weeks, to countries, telling them what the deal is,' Mr Trump told reporters on June 11 at the John F. Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts in Washington where he was attending a performance. 'At a certain point, we're just going to send letters out. And I think you understand that, saying this is the deal, you can take it or leave it,' he added. It is unclear if Mr Trump will follow through with his pledge. The president has often set two-week deadlines for actions, only for them to come later or not at all. The president on May 16 said he would be setting tariff rates for US trading partners 'over the next two to three weeks'. Mr Trump in April announced higher tariffs on dozens of trading partners only to pause them for 90 days as markets swooned and investors feared the levies would spark a global downturn. Yet despite the ongoing negotiations, the only trade framework the US has reached is with the UK, along with a tariff truce with China. But even the truce with China was threatened after Washington and Beijing accused each other or reneging on the terms, leading to marathon talks earlier this week in London on how to implement their agreement. Mr Trump earlier said on June 11 that the trade framework with China had been completed and would have Beijing supply rare earths and magnets, with the US allowing Chinese students to study at American colleges and universities. Asked on June 11 at the performance if he would extend the deadline for nations to cut deals with his administration before higher levies take effect, Mr Trump said he would be open to it. 'But I don't think we're gonna have that necessity,' he added. Mr Trump had initially suggested he would engage in talks with each partner but has moved away from that idea, prioritising talks with some key economic partners and acknowledging that the administration lacks the capacity to negotiate dozens of individual deals. Mr Trump's team is also working to secure bilateral deals with India, Japan, South Korea as well as the European Union. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said earlier on June 11 that the European Union is likely to be among the last deals that the US completed, expressing frustration with conducting talks with a 27-nation bloc. BLOOMBERG Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.