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Waseda is known for its successful alumni who shine in different fields and industries both at home and abroad and actively pursue their passions.  Recently, I (a Student Contributor for Waseda’s English website) had the special opportunity to interview Taishi Yamaoka, a 2020 graduate of the School of Social Sciences and a member of the “Cheer Re-Man’s.”

The Cheer Re-Man’s performing

The Cheer Re-Man’s is a men’s cheerleading team consisting of thirty-nine former members of the Shockers, the popular Waseda all-men cheerleading squad. The Cheer Re-Man’s members continue cheerleading even after graduating and entering the workforce. They started their activities in June of 2023 with the motto “Anyone Can Be Someone,” and their name comes from the combination of “cheerleading” and the Japanese expression for a male salaried worker “salaryman.” When they perform on stage, they dress in the same everyday suits and neckties you can see in crowded commuter trains during rush hour in Tokyo. At the same time, they complete a series of breathtaking acrobatic stunts to the beat of lively pop music. The contrast between the ordinary suits and the extraordinary stunts challenges our conventional image of Japanese salarymen.

The Cheer Re-Man’s are well-known for actively performing at various places, and they have also appeared on variety shows and in business commercials. This May, they won third place during the semi-final on the television show “Britain’s Got Talent,” and their activities have caught the attention of international news media giants. Their skillful movements, teamwork, and image of being “unconventional” businessmen have brought surprise and excitement to audiences of different ages both within Japan and abroad.

As a current Ph.D. Student at the Graduate School of Political Science, I was happy to interview Yamaoka and speak with him about his experience studying at Waseda and being a member of the Shockers when he was an undergraduate student. We also discussed his double life as both an office worker and a cheerleader, and he shared some behind-the-scenes info on the Cheer Re-Man’s. Make sure to read to the end of the article for Yamaoka’s messages to current and prospective Waseda students.

Part 1: Life as a Student and a Member of the Shockers

How did you join the Shockers?

Yamaoka: I like playing sports. I played soccer in elementary school and basketball in junior high school. I played rugby in high school, but for the university level, I did not think my rugby skills were good enough, and I wasn’t aiming to become a professional player. When I was trying to find an alternative sport that college students can easily start, I coincidentally came to know about the Shockers from a senpai, and I became interested and joined.

The Shockers performing outside of the Okuma Auditorium

How often did the Shockers practice?

Yamaoka: There were four official practices every week, and the members could also practice alone between the official practices. If we had collaborative events with other groups, we became busy and practiced almost every day.

Where did the Shockers practice?

Yamaoka: We practiced inside different gyms around Tokyo and we could only practice in places with high ceilings. For current Shockers members, since there is the Waseda Arena now, they can practice there too.

The Shockers at Waseda-sai (Waseda Festival)

Overall, what was your student life at Waseda like?

Yamaoka: I was in the Shockers until my third year at Waseda and I had a busy and fun time focusing on this activity. For the last year, I spent a more relaxing time focusing on job-hunting and getting the remaining credits necessary for graduation.

What was your favorite food around Waseda?

Yamaoka: I loved the ramen shop Budouka, and I ate there almost every day during my last year at Waseda, and my weight increased almost 12 kilograms. I haven’t eaten there recently.  I also enjoyed aburasoba, and I used to try different restaurants around Waseda. The Shockers’ members often went to restaurants together after practices.

Yamaoka performing with the Shockers during his university days

Part 2: Life as an Office Worker and a Member of the Cheer Re-Man’s

How was the Cheer Re-Man’s created?

Yamaoka: There was a men’s cheerleading competition once a year in which both the current Shockers’ and the Shockers’ alumni teams participated. Because the Shockers’ team had more time to practice, they were stronger than the alumni teams. However, the alumni team beat the Shockers one time. Winning against the current student members was what changed everything. We started thinking about moving on to the next stage, and we created the Cheer Re-Man’s and invited other alumni. Although working in the office is also fun, we could not lie to ourselves. We could not forget the feeling of being on the stage and we had the desire to perform on stage and make people feel moved.

Can you explain more about the motto “Anyone Can Be Someone (誰もが何者にでもなれる)”?

Yamaoka: While superstars and artists can also inspire people, we want to inspire people by proving that even as ordinary salarymen, we can still follow our passion as cheerleaders.

 How often does the Cheer Re-Man’s practice and perform?

Yamaoka: We basically practice on both days during the weekends, and sometimes on weekdays. We perform once a request comes which is about twice a month. We use gyms similar to those we used when were in the Shockers to practice.

How did you feel about participating in the show “Britain’s Got Talent”? How was the reaction of the audience overseas?

Yamaoka: We didn’t make it to the final round. Negatively speaking, maybe we still lacked practice, but positively speaking, we still have more challenges to take on. The audience in England appeared very excited about our performance, even more than audiences in Japan.

The Cheer Re-Man’s in England. Yamaoka is in the front center with the light blue tie.

How long did you stay in England? How was England?

Yamaoka: We spent seven days and five nights in England, and the organizer paid for the airplane and hotel. We entered England earlier than the actual performance, so we got to do some sightseeing after practicing, and we saw Big Ben and the London Eye. No matter where we went, the streets in England looked picturesque.

What do you think the difference is between cheerleading as a student and as an office worker?

Yamaoka: I believe that the big difference is about the use of time. Working and cheerleading at the same time makes me better at managing time and planning schedules, especially considering that it is not possible to gather everyone every day like in college. Also, to continue cheerleading, it is essential to communicate with our bosses and co-workers, and sometimes we need to take paid days off for performances.

Do all the members take part in every performance?

Yamaoka: Since some members may have work during the weekends, and some members who just entered their companies find it harder to take paid days off, those who perform vary by each performance depending on their schedules. For big events such as Britain’s Got Talent, we needed many practices, so only those who could secure enough time joined.

What kind of job are you doing now?

Yamaoka: I am working in a trading company and I am involved in HR-related work. Coincidentally, another former Shockers’ member works in the same company. Outside the weekend, I am also making use of extra time during the weekdays to practice cheerleading.

How do your family and friends feel about your cheerleading activities?

Yamaoka: I basically want my family to have fun. For example, my grandmother does not have many chances to leave her home, but she likes going out to watch my performances. Some friends are surprised at what I am doing now and worried whether I have enough physical strength for the performances.

Does the Cheer Re-Man’s plan to have other performances overseas?

Yamaoka: We have performed in Spain and England before. We also appeared in a TV show in Italy similar to “Britain’s Got Talent” in July. We don’t want to care too much about the result but simply have fun there. Our dream is to participate in “America’s Got Talent” one day.

What are the future goals of you and the Cheer Re-Man’s?

Yamaoka: As for myself, I want to write a book about my experience as a member of the Cheer Re-Man’s one day and record my thoughts in a physical form. As for the group, we want more people to know about our group and expand our impact on social media.

The Cheer Re-Man’s in their signature suits

Yamaoka’s Messages for Current and Prospective Students

Do you have a message for current Waseda students?

Yamaoka: A great thing about Waseda is that it has students with strong enthusiasm for what they like. College ends in the blink of an eye, and we should be grateful for the time we spent as students and those we met and befriended. We never know what the future brings, and I never thought of myself cheerleading after work. There are many possibilities, and when we become interested in something, it never hurts to try it a bit and then consider continuing or not. Taking the first step is important.

Do you have any message for prospective students interested in studying at Waseda, including international students?

Yamaoka: Waseda is really a fun place with diverse students from different places and students who have strong passions for various activities. Also, while studying and preparing for entrance exams is important, it is sad if we lose other important things such as friendships and communication with our family. We should try to study while maintaining good communication with others.

It was heart-warming to know that Yamaoka enjoyed his student life at Waseda and as a member of the Shockers, and that he is continuing the unforgettable memories and friendships through his activities as a member of the Cheer Re-Man’s in and outside of Japan. It was also inspiring to see how Yamaoka balances his work life and his cheerleading activities and how he is living with the “Waseda Spirit” of fighting for his dream, taking on challenges, and working hard. The positive message that Yamaoka and the Cheer Re-Man’s bring to the world through their activities is that ordinary people have the potential to become whoever they want to be if they believe in themselves and take action.

It was exciting to see how Waseda encourages its students to be enthusiastic about what they like and how Waseda alumni are chasing their dreams in different ways and bringing their unique perspectives to others. The activities of Waseda students and alumni show that there are no standard answers to what kinds of lives we should live, and it is up to us to explore what we want to do. It was pleasant and informative to listen to Yamaoka introducing the activities of the Shockers and Cheer Re-Man’s, sharing the details about his double life as an office worker and cheerleader, and sending inspiring messages to current and prospective students. Let’s look forward to Cheer Re-Man’s expanding their activities in the future, bringing inspiration to more people in different parts of the world, and keeping the “Waseda Spirit” alive.

This article was written by the following Student Contributor:
Peter Chai (Kai Shibata)

Graduate School of Political Science