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
