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."