161112-0004 - NHK Radio Calisthenics

back cover of a leaflet with sheet music and exercises for Japanese public broadcaster NHK’s radio calisthenics program (ラジオ体操), published in 1940 (Showa 15 ).

Radio calisthenics were introduced to Japan in 1928 (Showa 3) as a commemoration of the coronation of Emperor Hirohito.

Because of their militaristic nature, the broadcasts were banned by the occupying powers after Japan’s defeat in 1945 (Showa 20). They were restarted in 1951 (Showa 26).