The Birth and Organization of Cheering Groups
Organized cheering in Japanese professional baseball dates back to the 1950s. Initially, volunteer groups influenced by university cheering culture used drums and flags to lead cheers. In the 1960s, cheering groups based in each team's outfield bleachers became organized, performing unified cheers under the direction of leaders. This organized cheering developed as a uniquely Japanese sports culture, distinguishing it from professional baseball overseas, including MLB. Cheering groups operated as team-sanctioned organizations, playing a significant role in creating the stadium atmosphere through creating cheer songs, unifying cheering patterns, and teaching new fans how to participate.
Trumpet Cheering and the Development of Player-Specific Songs
From the 1970s through the 1980s, instrument-led cheering centered on trumpets dramatically transformed NPB's cheering culture. The Hiroshima Carp's cheering group pioneered the use of trumpets, which subsequently spread to all teams. This period also saw the creation of different cheer songs for each player, and the sight of all fans singing in unison for the batter at the plate became an essential element of NPB games. Iconic team anthems like the Hanshin Tigers' 'Rokko Oroshi' and the Yomiuri Giants' 'Tokon Komete' have been sung across generations. Cheer songs function not merely as vocal support but as communication tools connecting fans and players.
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Problems with Cheering Groups and Reform
While organized cheering groups were custodians of stadium culture, they also faced various problems. Some groups were linked to organized crime, and conflicts between cheering groups occurred. There was also criticism that cheering groups 'controlled' the outfield bleachers, creating an atmosphere where regular fans could not cheer freely. From the 2000s onward, teams reviewed their relationships with cheering groups and established team-sanctioned cheering rules. Reforms including anti-organized crime clauses, clarification of cheering areas, and measures to encourage general fan participation advanced the normalization of cheering culture. These reforms maintained cheering group culture while creating an environment enjoyable for a broader range of fans.
The New Era of Fan-Led Cheering
From the 2010s onward, NPB's cheering culture underwent a major shift toward fan-led support. The spread of social media enabled cheer song lyrics and choreography to be shared online, making it easier for first-time stadium visitors to participate in cheering. The unique cheering style spontaneously created by Chiba Lotte Marines fans attracted attention beyond team boundaries. During the COVID-19 pandemic from 2020 to 2022, vocal cheering was prohibited, giving rise to new forms of support through clapping and towel-waving. When vocal cheering was lifted in 2023, fans' voices returned to stadiums, and the value of cheering culture was reaffirmed. NPB's cheering culture continues to evolve from organization-led to fan-led, and toward a fusion of stadium and digital experiences.
Evolution of Cheer Goods and Visual Displays
NPB's cheering culture is defined not only by music but also by visual spectacle. Megaphones and fans became standard outfield items from the 1970s, and stadiums unified in team colors became widely recognized through television broadcasts. From the 1990s onward, the mass release of jet balloons before the seventh-inning attack became a beloved tradition, with tens of thousands of balloons coloring the night sky at venues such as Koshien Stadium and Fukuoka Dome. Towel-spinning, credited to Yokohama BayStars fans, spread to other teams as a celebratory gesture creating unity after scoring. These merchandise sales also represent a significant revenue stream for teams, forming a mutually supportive relationship between cheering culture and club business.
International Attention and Cross-Cultural Comparison
NPB's cheering culture has drawn attention from overseas baseball fans and researchers as a distinctive cultural phenomenon. In MLB, spontaneous individual cheers dominate and organ music or in-house DJs set the atmosphere, whereas in NPB, fans bring their own instruments and sing in organized unison. Korean professional baseball (KBO) also has a vibrant cheer culture, but it features cheerleaders at the forefront, differing from NPB where fans themselves lead instrumental performance and group singing. Taiwan's professional baseball (CPBL) developed its own cheerleader culture while absorbing Japanese influences. These differences reflect each country's spectator culture and the historical formation of fan communities, making them valuable subjects for comparative cultural studies.
Distinct Cheering Personalities by Stadium
NPB's cheering culture takes on a unique personality at each stadium. At Jingu Stadium, the Yakult Swallows fans' umbrella dance during 'Tokyo Ondo' is iconic, with umbrellas swaying at every run scored. At Koshien Stadium, Hanshin Tigers fans maintain the tradition of singing 'Rokko Oroshi' in grand chorus toward the field after games. At Chiba Marine Stadium, Lotte Marines fans sustain nonstop standing cheers renowned for their sheer volume. Indoor venues such as Sapporo Dome and Kyocera Dome amplify cheering intensity through their acoustic properties. The structure, location, and history of each stadium shape its cheering style, making the spectator experience vary considerably from venue to venue within NPB, which is one of the distinct charms of Japanese professional baseball.