Radio Taiso: Japan's Morning Exercise Routine

Every morning at 6:30, Japanese radio plays music with simple instructions for exercises.Millions around the country do them — in parks, workplaces, schools and at home.

It's called Radio Taiso — Exercise Radio in English — and it's a way of starting the day that's simple but gets the body moving.

Radio Taiso was introduced to Japan almost 100 years ago and has remained popular to this day.

The exercises take just 10 minutes and are suitable for all ages and fitness levels.They don't need any equipment and include simple things like stretching the arms up, twisting the body, bending down, or jumping or running in place.

People can make the exercises more difficult if they want, and some even do them again on their own later in the day.

Many people who follow Radio Taiso know the exercises by heart, but beginners can join in and quickly learn them.

Radio Taiso is said to have been inspired by a similar radio program in the US.The Japan Radio Taiso Federation says officials visited the US in the 1920s and came back to Japan with the idea.Within 10 years, millions were participating.

According to a 2023 survey by the federation, more than 20 million people in Japan did a Radio Taiso session at least once a week.

For some, it's also a great way to meet other people.

Mieko Kobayashi is 88 and goes to a park in Tokyo almost every day, where a large group gets together every morning for Radio Taiso.

She said that some who go to the park every day live alone, so Radio Taiso can help older people stay both healthy and social.