Japan - Cycle racing school canings: Two clips.
"Keirin", the sport of professional cycle racing in a stadium or velodrome, is a big deal in Japan. Those hoping to take part must generally have attended a rigorous 10-month training course at the Japan Bicycle Racing School at Shuzenji, in the Izu area, from which this clip comes.
Students (who appear on this showing to be entirely male) enrol at the school at age 17 or 18. There are very strict rules and intensive fitness training (pictured right). Corporal punishment for mistakes in training appears to be the norm, consisting of one or two hefty whacks with a large stick (possibly a kendo sword). This is administered in public, on the spot, to the student's buttocks as he holds a stooping position.
CLIP 1 OF 2
Date: 2007
Duration: 30 seconds
In this video sequence from Japanese TV, two canings are caught by the camera. The student thanks the trainer for the punishment and bows to him. Passers-by can be seen taking no notice, suggesting that this is a frequent occurrence. The recipient of the second one is persuaded to lower his shorts afterwards to show his wealed posterior. Asked whether it hurts, he cheerfully replies that it does indeed, and that the marks last for about three days.
HERE IS THE CLIP:
CLIP 2 OF 2
Date: ? c. early 2000s
Duration: 20 seconds
This shows two similar punishments at another "Keirin" school or possibly the same one. This may be from a slightly earlier date than clip 1.
HERE IS THE CLIP:
