Photo/Illutration Chomin Baku, left, and Eisei So perform an exercise based on Tai Chi moves in Kobe’s Nankinmachi district on April 19. (Tomoki Morishita)

KOBE--Merchants and shop owners in Chinatown here are sharing their tricks to stay active and positive during the novel coronavirus crisis that has economically crippled the area.

They released a video of a physical exercise routine using basic Tai Chi moves on YouTube on April 20, hoping to inspire people to stay fit while being stuck at home to prevent the spread of the virus.

Eisei So, the 63-year-old owner of famed restaurant Roushouki and chairman of Kobe’s Nankinmachi district promotion association, came up with the idea.

“I hope people do the exercise every morning and evening and continue in good health,” So said.

So asked his friends and fellow merchants in Nankinmachi, the second largest Chinatown in Japan, to join the video project.

They performed the 10-minute exercise at a square in Nankinmachi on April 19.

The exercise is based on Tai Chi moves called the “18 forms of Lian Gong.”

Chomin Baku, 70, who heads an association of “taijiquan” in Hyogo Prefecture, performed in the video and wrote subtitles explaining each move.

“It improves the movement of neck, shoulders and back and builds up immune strength,” Baku said.

About 90 percent of businesses in Nankinmachi have shut down while foot traffic has fallen by 90 percent since the start of the outbreak.

“There is no end in sight to the infections, and we fear an uncertain future,” So said. “I hope people who see this video will return to Nankinmachi and bring back energy as soon as possible.”

The video can be seen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vNZiQulwu0

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