“Japan Schools Combat Upskirting of Cheerleaders at Baseball Tournament with New Measures”
Schools participating in Japan’s annual spring baseball tournament are taking proactive measures to protect cheerleaders from upskirting incidents, introducing new protocols and attire to ensure the safety and dignity of students.
In response to the disturbing trend of sexualized photography targeting cheerleaders during the competition at Koshien stadium near Osaka, schools have implemented various strategies. Some have outfitted cheerleaders with shorts instead of skirts to minimize the risk of upskirting, while others have deployed teachers strategically to deter would-be voyeurs.
For example, Takasaki High School in Gunma prefecture introduced shorts for their cheerleading team, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding students’ emotional well-being. Teachers from the school are also actively patrolling the stands at Koshien, urging spectators to refrain from taking unauthorized photos of students.
Airi Ozawa, head of Takasaki’s cheerleading team, expressed relief and unity with the new attire, highlighting its practicality and comfort during performances. Additionally, teachers have positioned themselves between cheerleaders and spectators to provide a physical barrier against voyeuristic behavior.
This proactive stance reflects a broader concern over secret photography in Japanese sports, prompting industry-wide efforts to combat voyeurism. The Japan Olympic Committee has denounced upskirting as “despicable,” implementing measures to monitor spectator photography during major events like the Tokyo Games.
Furthermore, sportswear manufacturer Mizuno has developed specialized fabric designed to deter voyeurs using infrared cameras, offering a potential solution to the pervasive issue of secret photography in sports settings.
As schools and organizations prioritize student safety and dignity, these initiatives underscore the importance of proactive measures and collective action to address and prevent instances of voyeurism and upskirting in sports environments.
