Jul 13, 2015

From the photographer: Keirin is a form of cycle racing developed in Japan around 1948 for gambling purposes and has since become extremely popular. It is one of only four sports that patrons are allowed to bet on. In 1957 the Japanese Keirin Association was founded establishing a uniform system for the sport.

Today riders must complete study at the Japan Keirin School. For riders accepted to the school, they take on an extremely strict, 15-hour, six day-a-week training schedule, before being eligible to graduate as approved professional Keirin riders able to compete in Japan’s professional Keirin league. There are over 3,000 registered riders in Japan, and salaries for top riders can bring in as much as $2 million U.S., with average riders bringing about $100,000.

: Keirin students line up to fill their tires with air ahead of training at the Nihon Keirin Gakkou (Japan Keirin School) on July 8, 2015 in Izu, Japan. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

: A rider enters the velodrome ahead of his race during Keirin races at Kawasaki Velodrome on July 11, 2015 in Kawasaki, Japan. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

: Keirin students prepare their bikes ahead of training at the Nihon Keirin Gakkou (Japan Keirin School) on July 8, 2015 in Izu, Japan. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

: Two men look over the form guide ahead of the days racing during Keirin races at Kawasaki Velodrome on July 11, 2015 in Kawasaki, Japan. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

: Female keirin students laugh after an arm wrestling match against their teacher during training at the Nihon Keirin Gakkou (Japan Keirin School) on July 8, 2015 in Izu, Japan. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

: A rider walks on Japanese wooden sandles to help with balance and back pain ahead of his race during Keirin races at Kawasaki Velodrome on July 11, 2015 in Kawasaki, Japan. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

: A safety officer stands next to a stretcher as riders pass by during a Keirin race at the Kawasaki Velodrome on July 11, 2015 in Kawasaki, Japan. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

: Keirin students train at the Nihon Keirin Gakkou (Japan Keirin School) on July 8, 2015 in Izu, Japan. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

: A punter checks the form guide ahead of racing during Keirin races at Kawasaki Velodrome on July 11, 2015 in Kawasaki, Japan. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

: Keirin students walk back to the bike garage in the rain after the days training at the Nihon Keirin Gakkou (Japan Keirin School) on July 8, 2015 in Izu, Japan. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

: Shinto Ema plaque (wishing plaque) depicting a keirin rider is seen hanging at the front desk of the Nihon Keirin Gakkou (Japan Keirin School) on July 8, 2015 in Izu, Japan. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

: A punter writes down his picks on a form guide during the Keirin races at Kawasaki Velodrome on July 11, 2015 in Kawasaki, Japan. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

: A rider enters the velodrome ahead of her race during Keirin races at Kawasaki Velodrome on July 11, 2015 in Kawasaki, Japan. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

: IZU, JAPAN – JULY 08: Keirin students are reflected in the days training schedule at the Nihon Keirin Gakkou (Japan Keirin School) on July 8, 2015 in Izu, Japan. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

: Keirin students clean their bikes at the end of the day after training at the Nihon Keirin Gakkou (Japan Keirin School) on July 8, 2015 in Izu, Japan. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

: Keirin students recover after a two hour training session at the Nihon Keirin Gakkou (Japan Keirin School) on July 8, 2015 in Izu, Japan. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

: Teachers watch on as Keirin students train at the Nihon Keirin Gakkou (Japan Keirin School) on July 8, 2015 in Izu, Japan. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

: Keirin students train on rollers at the Nihon Keirin Gakkou (Japan Keirin School) on July 8, 2015 in Izu, Japan. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

: Keirin students train in the rain at the Nihon Keirin Gakkou (Japan Keirin School) on July 8, 2015 in Izu, Japan. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

: Riders prepare for their race during Keirin races at Kawasaki Velodrome on July 11, 2015 in Kawasaki, Japan. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

: Punters watch a race on the betting screens during Keirin races at Kawasaki Velodrome on July 11, 2015 in Kawasaki, Japan. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

: Keirin students walk with their bikes to training at the Nihon Keirin Gakkou (Japan Keirin School) on July 8, 2015 in Izu, Japan. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

: Keirin students train on rollers at the Nihon Keirin Gakkou (Japan Keirin School) on July 8, 2015 in Izu, Japan. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

: Keirin students train on rollers at the Nihon Keirin Gakkou (Japan Keirin School) on July 8, 2015 in Izu, Japan. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

Despite its popularity, Keirin racing has seen a steady decline since the 1990s with attendance and revenue declining consistently. With Japan’s aging population and Keirin seen mainly as a gambling activity, its fan base is made up primarily of punters over the age of 50. Attracting young fans is a crucial step to reinvigorating the sport. However the lack of interest from young Japanese in sports betting and the popularity of baseball and football, attracting younger spectators is an up hill battle.

The JKA has taken steps to attract younger fans, In 2012 women’s racing was reintroduced under the name, Girl’s Keirin and promoted with a national TV advertising campaign showing riders in high heels and dresses as an attempt to attract younger viewers. With the current debate in Japan over the introduction of casinos and the popularity of Pachinko slot gambling with the younger generation, Keirin racing could see yet another decline.

Betting on bike racing: Keirin culture in Japan

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