Japan awakens to a unique tradition known as Radio Taiso, or Exercise Radio in English, a simple yet dynamic way to start the day. Every morning at 6:30, Japanese radio broadcasts music with basic instructions for calisthenics, and millions participate in parks, workplaces, schools, and at home.
A Century-Old Tradition
Radio Taiso has a history spanning nearly 100 years, formally introduced in 1928 to coincide with the enthronement of Emperor Hirohito. The tradition endures because the exercises are suitable for all ages and capabilities and are easily accessible. The routine includes basic movements such as reaching to the sky, twisting the torso, bending at the hips, swinging the arms, and jumping or running in place. Participants can adjust the intensity to their preference, and the entire session lasts just 10 minutes, accompanied by a soft piano melody.
Japan boasts one of the longest-lived populations on earth, and this daily ritual is credited with promoting physical and social wellbeing. Those interested can find Radio Taiso routines on YouTube in English and other languages.
The Basic Moves
The routine consists of about a dozen basic moves that can be performed standing or seated. The idea is to keep moving, and although the program airs early in the morning, many devotees repeat it later in the day. The session features three three-minute segments that gradually increase in difficulty, but remain manageable. Most followers know the sequences by heart, but beginners can quickly pick them up. No equipment is needed.
The program begins with arm exercises—lifting, circling, and stretching the arms side-to-side—followed by bending and twisting at the waist. Shoulder raises are incorporated with mini-jumping exercises and marching in place. Additionally, neck exercises, chest stretches, and small squats for leg power are included. Each movement is repeated four to eight times, with instructions to relax, breathe, and inhale and exhale slowly.
A Social Event
Mieko Kobayashi, 88, goes to Kiba Park in east Tokyo almost every day, where a large group gathers without fail. "If it's cold or raining, I don't go," she said. "By moving my body, I feel better." She and her 77-year-old friend, Yoshiko Nagao, noted that some attendees live alone, making this an important social anchor, particularly for the elderly. "Laughing and chatting while taking a walk after the exercise is also good," Nagao added. "We come even on New Year's Day."
Kenji Iguchi, 83, who appears much younger, has been a regular for about 20 years. "It's for my joints, mainly the knees and back, because of my age," Iguchi said. "I get up at 5 a.m. anyway. I come to the park about 6 and do a round of walking ahead of the Radio Taiso session. Most of the faces are familiar, and coming here and getting together with them is also one of the things I look forward to."
Japan's average life expectancy is about 85 years, second only to Hong Kong. The United States averages about 79 years. The Japanese government announced late last year that 99,763 people aged 100 or older were alive in Japan, a new national record for the 55th consecutive year. Of these, 87,784 (88%) were female and 11,979 (12%) male. Japan holds the record for the most centenarians relative to its population of approximately 122 million.
American Roots
Radio Taiso was inspired a century ago by a similar radio program in the United States sponsored by the Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. The Japan Radio Taiso Federation says officials of the postal ministry visited the United States in the 1920s and returned with the concept. Within a decade, millions were participating. The program was led by postal workers who distributed pamphlets and organized training sessions.
During the US occupation after World War II, the exercises were banned, largely because they were done in groups. The federation says the practice was seen as "totalitarian" with a possible air of militarism. Group exercises resumed in 1951, backed by popular demand, as American occupation ended in 1952.
According to a 2023 survey by the federation, more than 20 million people in Japan practiced Radio Taiso at least once a week. The tradition has also caught on abroad, notably in Brazil, which has the largest population of Japanese descent outside Japan.
