Radio Taiso - A Storied History
Inspired by morning exercises broadcast by the US insurance firm Metropolitan Life, Japan launched the National Health Exercise Program (the precursor of Radio Taiso) in November 1928 to celebrate Emperor Hirohito’s formal ascension to the chrysanthemum throne.
Since its creation by the Health Insurance Bureau of the Post Office of Japan, the communal exercise regime has barely changed.
It did see a ban following World War II, but was revived in 1951, when the Education and Health Ministries enlisted experts and the life insurance industry to devise a program to be broadcast on Nippon Housou Kyokai (NHK) public radio.
For nearly 70 years, Radio Taiso has aired the calisthenics regime every day at 6:30 AM.
In a survey conducted in the early 2000s, over 27 million people said they took part in morning calisthenics more than twice a week, whether at work, at home in front of the TV or with neighbors in the local park.
Regular participants cover a broad cross-section of Japanese society. Many construction and factory begin their work shift with Radio Taiso. Some office workers, such as 10,000 employees of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, are even encouraged to leave their desks for radio taiso at 3PM every afternoon. Children also perform Radio Taiso before school sports days and are even asked to gather together for special summer holiday Radio Taiso sessions.
Radio Taiso plays an important role in the Japanese population's morning routine and is often used to explain the impressive life expectancy of Japanese people.
Just a few minutes of exercise a day can lead to improved health!