[Japanese Side] "Anything is fine, just start" The story of a 91-year-old cheerleader grandmother who moved Japan

"I Want to Live My Way" Studied in the US at 53, Formed a Team at 63
Inspired Japan with an Unyielding Spirit of Challenge at 90

These days, a representative phrase of encouragement in South Korea seems to be "The important thing is an unbreakable spirit." Just hearing it prepares you to gather strength and dive back in.

Recently in Japan, a story about 91-year-old active cheerleader Takino Fumie was broadcast. She said, "I want to live true to myself," and at 53, she went alone to study in the United States to learn cheerleading. Despite her advanced age, she consistently took the stage and became famous in Japan. Her attitude toward life resonated deeply with many people. Today, we share the story of 91-year-old Takino, who moved the entire archipelago.

Mr. Takino dancing at last year's competition. (Photo by Nittere)

Takino was originally an ordinary housewife. However, she recalls that her daily life was not happy. During her 27 years of marriage, communication with her husband was cut off, and she took almost full responsibility for raising the children. When all her children had settled into their careers at age 52, she finally declared that she would live alone separately. Because she had lived as a housewife for a long time, the decision was not easy. She thought, "When the children become independent, I will live alone," but kept postponing it with thoughts like "I will wait until my daughter gets married," or "No, I will wait until my grandchild is born." In the life dedicated to her family, she gradually lost herself.

From the moment she made up her mind and left the house, her second life began. Takino calls the day she moved to live alone her "Independence Day." Thinking about what to do, she decided, saying, "This is my last chance to look at life again," to study gerontology in the United States.

Takino even sent a letter to the US ambassador saying, "I am old and cannot wait leisurely. Please give me a visa immediately." In response, the US embassy issued her a visa quickly and sent an encouraging letter as well.

During her three years in the US, she earned a master's degree at a university and completed training at a nursing home in New York.

The Takino team who participated in last year's competition. (Photo by Nittere)

When Takino set foot on Japanese soil again, she was already 57 years old. While wondering what to continue in Japan, she came across a book on gerontology sent from the US that introduced "senior cheerleading." She found two sentences: "In the senior community of Sun City, Arizona, there is a cheerleading group called the Sun City Poms." She immediately emailed the group leader to get advice on costumes, song selection, and practice methods.

Takino eventually gathered five acquaintances aged 63 and formed a team called "Japan Pom Pom." The membership requirement was 55 years or older. They started with five members, but now more than 20 members have gathered, forming a large group with an average age of 70.

Since it is a senior group, there are limitations such as forgetting moves learned in previous songs when learning new ones, but Takino holds the motto "Age is not an excuse" and does not lower the difficulty level, holding team practice once a week. When dancing, they showcase flashy costumes and makeup, including miniskirts and glitter brought from the US.

Mr. Takino giving instructions during team practice. (Photo by Japan Pong Pong website)

Takino’s leadership also attracted attention. Since the group includes a wide age range from 50s to 90s, to prevent practice from turning into something like a workplace, she implemented measures such as banning preparing snacks equal to the number of participants during practice and banning distributing lunch boxes to the team on performance days.

However, as cheerleading competitions were continuously postponed due to COVID-19, Takino faced physical limits and leadership challenges in leading the team. The documentary that became a hot topic this time showed how she wisely overcame these challenges and maintained her position as Japan’s oldest cheerleader. I had low expectations for the senior team’s stage, but seeing them constantly move formations without breaks, just like young athletes, I ended up applauding.

Takino often says, "Anything is fine, just start." Have you ever had dreams you couldn’t achieve because you were crushed by society’s gaze or responsibility? Takino’s story that "age does not matter in living true to oneself" makes us think deeply.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.