Muted Olympic viewing at Tokyo's cheerleader-themed bar
These cheerleaders are dancing at a muted bar
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Cheers One bar has been struggling
due to the health crisis and a spectator-less Olympics
(SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) OWNER OF “CHEERS ONE”, ARATA FUNABARA, SAYING:
"It's a hassle for our customers to go through these measures, and they're not as lively with these plastic boards in front of them. I think it's a problem for them."
Owner Arata Funabara says monthly revenue is down 85%
(SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) OWNER OF “CHEERS ONE”, ARATA FUNABARA, SAYING:
“I don't know if we can survive, we are in a difficult situation. But we just need to look ahead and work hard.”
But one regular actually enjoys having the bar to himself
(SOUNDBITE) (English) 27-YEAR-OLD CUSTOMER, DAICHI, SAYING:
“They said I can watch the Olympics so I came here to watch it. Also, because we are in a difficult situation, not many customers are here, which means I can have the place all to myself. I mainly come here during weekdays when there are fewer customers. So, like today, I came here on a weekday to order a drink and relax."