Japan may have little to celebrate with its economic recovery still fragile, so some cheerleaders are hitting the streets and stages to spirit up the mood --- including one pom-pom squad whose average age is 66.

¡¡¡¡On a recent Saturday, some 20 members of elderly cheerleading club Japan Pom Pom performed at a competition near Tokyo, waving gold pom-poms and dancing to the rhythm in shiny red costumes adored with sequins and wearing bobbed silver wigs.

¡¡¡¡"I started cheerleading when I was 63 and I think I can dance much better and have made some improvements. Anybody can improve, even if you are old," said Fumie Takino, the 78-year-old leader and founder of the club.