Japan wakes up to Radio Taiso exercise tradition

(25 Apr 2026)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Tokyo - 6 April 2026
1. Various of people participating in Radio Taiso in Kiba Park
2. Radio placed on a bench
3. Woman participating in Radio Taiso
4. Various of people participating in Radio Taiso
5. SOUNDBITE (English) Stephen Wade, The Associated Press:
++PARTLY OVERLAID WITH SHOTS 1, 2, 3, 4 & 6++
"This is how Japan wakes up. It's called Radio Taiso. In English, it's Radio Exercise. It is a very simple idea. At 6:30 in the morning, on the radio, we get music and choreography to exercise by. People gather in city parks to do it, people gather in their offices, in schools, you can do it at home. The exercises are not very strenuous, just stretching and basic calisthenics. It is suitable for all ages, everybody can do it. You can exert yourself a lot if you want but you don't have to. As we all know Japan is famous for longevity, a long-lived population. I would not say Radio Taiso is why, but it certainly can't hurt anything. So from this beautiful park in Tokyo, Kiba Park, Ohayo gozaimasu (Good morning)."
6. Pan of people participating in Radio Taiso
STORYLINE:
This is how Japan wakes up.

It's called Radio Taiso — Exercise Radio in English — a simple yet dynamic way to start the day.

Japanese radio plays music every day at 6:30 a.m. to accompany basic instructions for calisthenics.

Millions perform in the choreography: in parks, workplaces, schools or at home.

Radio Taiso has an almost 100-year history.

It was formally introduced in 1928 and coincided with the enthronement of Emperor Hirohito.

The tradition endures because the exercises are suitable for all ages and capabilities and easily are accessible.

Exercisers can make it as strenuous as they wish, and it's over in just 10 minutes.

Japan has one of the longest lived populations on earth, and this ritual is credited for promoting physical and social wellbeing.

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