Cheering, chanting, and waving robots filled in for fans in a baseball match, as Sport in Japan makes tentative progress in its return after the Covid-19 shutdown.

A video of dancing robot ‘fans’ at NPB team Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks’ game against Rakuten Eagles has gone viral.

Some of the robots wore Hawks caps and waved flags supporting the team.

Although not everyone was in love with the idea. However, social media had mixed reactions.

Boosted by the supportive robots, the Hawks won 4-3 as they look to defend their 2019 NPB title.

Robots filled in for fans at the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks’ baseball game on Tuesday in Japan, and they danced to the team's fight song. Spectators haven't been allowed at games because of the pandemic. The robots will perform at home games through July. pic.twitter.com/ZIlWZk5uIF

— CBS Newspath (@cbsnewspath) July 8, 2020

Japan Coronavirus Cases

Japan has confirmed 20,174 positive coronavirus cases since the outbreak.

Of these, 17,331 have been recovered while the country has reported 980 deaths.

Last month Tokyo revised its method of monitoring the state of virus infections to place more emphasis on the capacity of the medical system to handle more patients.

The positive test rate has plunged through May and June though it has slightly ticked up again over the past week.

The capital is currently conducting an average of about 2,000 tests a day, with mass testing of host clubs in the Shinjuku area.