Try Anything: Japan's Silver‑Haired Cheer‑Dance Squad Takes the Spotlight

Meet Japan Pom Pom – The Seniors Who Outshine the Olympics

Picture this: a hundred‑plus snippets of bright pink pom‑poms bobbing in rhythm while silver shoes spark like rays of moonlight. Not your usual floor‑filling football cheer squad – these are Japan Pom Pom, a group of feisty performers aged between 60 and 89.

It’s Not Just a Dance, It’s a Movement

Founded over 25 years ago by the 89‑year‑old dynamo Fumie Takino, whose energy could power a landfill, the team’s average age sits comfortably at 72. The name? Japan Pom Pom – because after all, you need a catchy ring for a rhythm that can’t be tamed by any calendar.

Skeptical at first, but still rocking – Fumie admits that the “granny cheer dancers” nickname didn’t exactly match their spirit.

1984: The genesis – a modest rehearsal in a community hall turned into a tradition.
2024: A new era of cheers – the group’s latest choreographies pivot toward high‑energy, upbeat beats.
The recruit mantra – “If you’re tired, you’re ready.”

Behind the Bashful Beat

When you’re 71, you’re allowed to cheat on most of life’s questions, but Japan Pom Pom refuses to concede. They’re not ordinary grannies – they’re full‑blown cheer superstars, self‑managed, organized, and with an indignation that lets nothing get in their way (or in this case, behind).

Whether it’s the steady clacking of their shoes or the applause that fractures the clouds, these seniors are not just dancing – they’re taking a stand for fun, health, and bending the age limits.

What It Feels Like—A Funny Check‑Listen

Boot‑on‑broad-toins: Bring it on.
Hands clapped: Proof patients are forthcoming.
Dropping frowns: Never again!
Getting old: Yes, but we stripe the snow!

Take note: This is still “cheer” with some antique spices. This team refuses to bow to the stereotype of “grannies” and to allow their passion to wane. “We’re just living in the groove,” says Fumie in an emotional burst of both humor and hilarity. You can sense that they’re doing the job that underpins the whole shift in the industry.

A Call to All Those Who Want to Swoop and Literally Grow

“You can join with your passion. The age? All it’s about is the heart. Stay sane, stay on the 202 timeline.”

Senior Cheer Squad Revives Dance Spirit After a Year‑Long Hiatus

When the squad stepped back into the gym last week, they were the picture of safety: each member checking their temperature over a mask before limbering up, then launching into a perfectly spaced dance routine – because who wants a close‑contact tumble when you’re already a couple of decades past 55?

Costumes That Sparkle (and Make Your Pretzels of Thrill)

Daytime scrubs and sweatpants shuffled into a glittering “Japan Pom Pom” t‑shirt for the warm‑up, but when the beat drops the real show begins. The performers go mini‑skirted and sequined for their top‑tier cheer routines. One of the routines saw Takino rocking a leather biker jacket and shades, while another had the entire crew rocking silver wigs like a silver‑metal disco revival.

Speaking Truth: “It’s Dancing; Moving Your Body Is a Match‑Made Happiness”

Takino chuckled: “It’s dancing; moving your body is great. And the costumes are insanely flashy. A few folks only join to rock those flashy outfits.”

The Origin Story

Started in 1998 with five people after Takino spotted an overseas senior cheer squad in the news, the group has grown to 17 active members today. Every member is older than 55 and must pass a rigorous audition – because age is no excuse for flair.

From the Pamphlets to the TV

They’re now a staple in government handbooks for active seniors, pop up in TV spotlights, and perform on popular charity shows. They’re proof that you don’t have to be a teen to do a drop‑kick – just the right amount of stamina and a killer outfit!

Senior‑Szn: Japan’s “Golden Oldies” and Their Bold Comeback

Did you know that 30 % of Japan’s residents are over 65? The country’s booming longevity is famous worldwide, but that longevity has long been wrapped in curious stereotypes. The picture of a “senior” in Japan has traditionally been that of a quiet, modest old‑timer, yet a handful of older adults are turning that image on its head.

The Initial Naysayers

Takino, a spry 68‑year‑old, remembers the first time he tried to join a senior‑citizens club:

“We walked into the club and… they didn’t smile once. “Japanese women, at your ages, wearing that kind of stuff!” The reception was almost as strict as a sushi chef’s plating standards.”

In the day’s words, the club’s mood could have been described as a frosty reception – but Takino’s confidence didn’t freeze. He now believes that half the attendees accept the change, while half still remain skeptical.

Why the Change is Worth a Try

Tami Shimada, who’s 69 but feels like a teenager on a roller coaster, is a shining example of the club’s new vibe. She chimes in on what the group’s leader “always says”:

“Try anything.”
“If you’re interested in something, age is just a number. Charm the heck out of yourself and ignore the whispers that it’s not good for your stage in life.”

Her energetic mantra highlights an almost off‑beat philosophy: age is no barrier – it’s merely a stage. According to Tami, that mindset gives people “a reason to live” and an explosive boost in positivity.

In a Nutshell

Japan’s senior citizens are stepping into the spotlight by embracing activities, fashion, and flair that many thought were only for the younger generation. The senior community, once timid and reluctant, is evolving into a group that’s ready to rock, roll and do a little delicious dance. It’s a wave of giggles, laughter, and a reminder that life is alive at 70!
<img alt="" data-caption="Tami Shimada, 69, a member of a senior cheer squad called Japan Pom Pom, walks home from the park with her granddaughter Elisa, 4, and daughter-in-law Tomoko, 44, in Tokyo, Japan, April 25, 2021.
PHOTO: Reuters” data-entity-type=”file” data-entity-uuid=”8f93c34c-24a2-4e48-b68f-2960998ee3f8″ src=”/sites/default/files/inline-images/20210505_tamishimada_reuters_0.jpg”/>

Meet Takino: The 89‑Year‑Old Adventurer Who’s Never Done a Missed Beat

Just short of turning 90 next year, this spry senior is juggling more than a handful of grandchildren and great‑grandchildren (there’s already one more on the way!). She doesn’t merely preach living life to the fullest—she’s sporting it in boots, on a plane, in water, and on a dance floor.

What She’s Done (and Still Doing)

Take a look at Takino’s impressive résumé of past‑topping adventures:

Scuba‑diving to the secret depths of the ocean
Paraglider soaring high above the clouds
Ukulele strumming with the same passion as a jazz maestro
Sky‑diving and calling it “the greatest” moment of all
Earned a master’s degree—yes, she aced her studies in her 50s
Spanish lessons to keep her brain buzzing
Weekly senior dance class, because she likes to move to the beat
Regular walks—you’ll spot her arriving back with a smile
Obsessive computer solitaire—“I can’t leave the computer even for a coffee!” is her truth

A Stubborn Health Story

Her only medical hiccup? An appendectomy. She jokingly says “That’s it—no other scars to brag about.” At night, she unwinds with a tiny beer, a ritual that feels like a tiny celebration for surviving another day.

Juggling Age and Energy

When you’re nearing 90, the wheels of fatigue sometimes get stuck. Takino shares how the pandemic’s lockdown had her feeling a bit sluggish the following day after an otherwise energetic practice session. “I forget everything while I’m dancing,” she chuckles, because you probably can’t keep track of both how you’re dancing and your energy levels.

Will she keep the high‑energy vibes at 100?

She admits, “I’m not sure I’ll still be cheering, even if the group wants me to.” That’s a promise still in the future, but the question remains—does the universe want her to keep dancing for a century?

One thing’s clear: Takino is proving age is just a number when it comes to passion, experience, and looking for that perfect beat to keep her dancing.