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<table bgcolor="#000011"><tr><td>Rah, Rah Rah!
How old should a cheerleader be? For most of us, the word conjures images of short-skirted, long-legged, pony-tailed energetic teens. But in Tokyo, things are different.
Despite the gloomy economic state, senior citizens seem to have taken the idea of inspiring happiness. For instance, the Japan Pom-Pom squad is very popular and the average age of its members is 66.
Japan Pom-Pom's members practice two hours per week and often perform at children's hospitals and nursing homes. They are easy to spot from their red and shiny sequined costumes, their golden pom-poms and their bobbed silvery wigs.
"I started cheerleading when I was 63 and I think I can dance much better now and have made some improvements. Anybody can improve even if you are old," said Fumie Takini, the 78-year-old leader and founder of the club.
The main goal of this group is to have fun. There are no political undercurrents or hidden agendas connected to their performances.
“There is a lot of depressing news and the economy is bad. I must say, I can only do little to overcome this problem, but I hope we can provide energy and encourage people by showing how we senior cheerleaders are simply enjoying ourselves,” says Takino.
Their enthusiasm does appear to be contagious and brings smiles to daily commuters and economists who cannot bear to look at Japan's growing rate of inflation. The granny cheerleaders inflate hopes and cheer instead.
Baton twirl, anyone?
</td></tr></table>
How old should a cheerleader be? For most of us, the word conjures images of short-skirted, long-legged, pony-tailed energetic teens. But in Tokyo, things are different.
Despite the gloomy economic state, senior citizens seem to have taken the idea of inspiring happiness. For instance, the Japan Pom-Pom squad is very popular and the average age of its members is 66.
Japan Pom-Pom's members practice two hours per week and often perform at children's hospitals and nursing homes. They are easy to spot from their red and shiny sequined costumes, their golden pom-poms and their bobbed silvery wigs.
"I started cheerleading when I was 63 and I think I can dance much better now and have made some improvements. Anybody can improve even if you are old," said Fumie Takini, the 78-year-old leader and founder of the club.
The main goal of this group is to have fun. There are no political undercurrents or hidden agendas connected to their performances.
“There is a lot of depressing news and the economy is bad. I must say, I can only do little to overcome this problem, but I hope we can provide energy and encourage people by showing how we senior cheerleaders are simply enjoying ourselves,” says Takino.
Their enthusiasm does appear to be contagious and brings smiles to daily commuters and economists who cannot bear to look at Japan's growing rate of inflation. The granny cheerleaders inflate hopes and cheer instead.
Baton twirl, anyone?
</td></tr></table>
