1.
radio calisthenics; NHK morning exercise routine
A set routine of light exercises done to piano music broadcast on NHK radio every morning. First aired in 1928, it is practiced in schools, workplaces, and neighborhood parks, and most Japanese people know the moves by heart.
Common expressions
- ラジオ体操第一: Radio Calisthenics No. 1, the best-known routine
- ラジオ体操第二: Radio Calisthenics No. 2, a slightly more vigorous routine
- ラジオ体操のカード: the attendance card children get stamped
Cultural note
During summer vacation, neighborhood groups gather in parks early in the morning, and children get a stamp on a card for each day they attend. Many factories and building sites also start the working day with the routine.