Japan's mostly male cheerleaders - in pictures
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A member of the Meiji University 'oendan' during a university baseball game at Meiji Jingu Baseball Park in Tokyo. All photos: AFP -
Women are increasingly joining the ranks of the previously all-male groups -
The groups are still predominantly male and cheerleaders are unashamedly macho -
Members of the Kokugakuin University 'oendan' during a competition between university cheerleading squads in Tokyo -
Members of the Gakushuin University 'oendan' -
A supervisor from the Tokai University 'oendan', right, speaking during a Tokyo competition between university cheerleading squads -
Members of the Toyo University 'oendan' competing -
The Rissho University 'oendan' during a competition -
Taiga Kobayashi, a member of the Meiji University 'oendan', during a warm-up workout before clapping practice at the campus in Tokyo -
Meiji University 'oendan' whip up spectators during a university baseball game at Meiji Jingu Baseball Park in Tokyo -
The groups tend to perform alongside brass bands and American-style cheerleaders, mostly female -
The cheerleaders are part of a century-old tradition that some say faces an existential crisis, with fewer students showing an interest in the hardcore art form -
Dressed in old-fashioned school-style uniforms, the cheering groups are a mass of black at college baseball games as they chant, bang taiko drums and thrust their fists in rigid, martial moves -
A campaign is under way for Japan's traditional 'oendan' cheering groups to be registered as part of the country's intangible cultural heritage -
The label is awarded by Japan's culture minister to activities with unique importance, such as calligraphy and traditional sake brewing -
Campaigners say the recognition would increase the squads' prestige and encourage new recruits -
One survey says about a dozen groups have disappeared over a period of 15 years -
Women recruits, however, are breathing new life into struggling squads
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