
The Olympian’s bright blue underarms makes it hard to concentrate on her stunning performance.
One of the events that gets a lot of attention at the Summer Olympics is synchronised swimming. The hybrid dance-gymnastics-swimming event is always entertaining, with elaborate, synchronised moves set to music mesmerising audiences around the world, and sometimes acting as a springboard for a bit of humour too.
One of Japan’s most elite synchronised swimmers is Raika Fujii, who competed in both the 1996 and 2000 Summer Olympics. The 42-year-old professional still has a repertoire of impressive underwater moves up her sleeve, and one of them includes performing with bright blue armpits.
Her colourful appearance is all part of a new Japanese commercial for an antiperspirant called Refrea. There’s no better way to prove Refrea’s water-resistant properties than sending it on a journey in the pool under Fujii’s armpits during one of her intensive routines.
Take a look at the commercial below:
In the ad, Fujii keeps her game face on, showing off all the beautiful moves that made her a synchronised swimming Olympian.
Underwater, Fujii’s moves are swift, precise and elegant at the same time. Though it’s hard to tear our eyes away from the bright blue swabs of cream underneath her arms.
The clever ad colours the transparent antiperspirant cream blue to prove its staying power in even the most extreme conditions. The result after Fujii’s performance? Yep- still blue.
After seeing the Olympian’s colourful armpits, we can’t help but wonder what it would look like if a professional group of synchronised swimmers adopted the eye-catching style for their own performances. That would definitely make for a memorable routine!
Source: Kai-You
Images: YouTube/Rohtoofficialchannel





7-year-old boy left behind on Mt. Fuji by his own dad
Sushi Bus: Japan’s first conveyor-belt bus lets you eat sushi while sightseeing around Tokyo
Why do foreign tourists queue up to eat at Tokyo Little House?
Studio Ghibli composer Jo Hisaishi just set three Guinness Records
Studio Ghibli unveils new interactive stationery dioramas that bring anime movies to life on your desk
7-year-old boy left behind on Mt. Fuji by his own dad
Sushi Bus: Japan’s first conveyor-belt bus lets you eat sushi while sightseeing around Tokyo
Why do foreign tourists queue up to eat at Tokyo Little House?
Studio Ghibli composer Jo Hisaishi just set three Guinness Records
Studio Ghibli unveils new interactive stationery dioramas that bring anime movies to life on your desk
7-Eleven Japan brings back best-selling flat croissant that became a hit on social media
Japanese man arrested after pretending to be foreigner while trying to rob convenience store
Anime fans can now wear a Seiko watch inspired by Japan’s One Piece Shinkansen
Universal Studios Japan partners with manga horror master Junji Ito’s Tomie
Ninja theme park suddenly closes in Japan, shadow warriors undone by shady real estate deals
12-year-old British girl who went missing in Tokyo found safe after visiting anime sites around Yokohama
Study finds hundreds of people in Indonesia legally named after Naruto, Inuyasha, other anime stars
Japan’s Rabbit Island in danger of becoming Boar Island, tourists asked to follow feeding rules
Japanese gacha machine in Shibuya now sells tiny capsule terrariums
12-year-old foreign tourist missing in Japan, police asking for help finding her [Video]
Stay at a hotel with a bed for your plushie in Japan
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
New Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
Air-conditioned dress shirts arrive in Japan to save working professionals from sweltering heat
Japanese Shinkansen becomes an overnight hotel for three nights this summer
Pokémon Center Online designates first Pokémon items that will require Japanese ID card to buy
Japanese toilet aims to attract foreign tourists but not everybody is happy about it
99-year-old woman rescued while attempting to climb Mt. Fuji
Tokyo’s newest viral dessert is like a Japanese parfait inside a bread bun [Taste test]
New Japanese vending machine at Shinkansen station sells cups of ice on platform
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
7-Eleven Japan brings back best-selling flat croissant that became a hit on social media
Japanese man arrested after pretending to be foreigner while trying to rob convenience store
Anime fans can now wear a Seiko watch inspired by Japan’s One Piece Shinkansen
Universal Studios Japan partners with manga horror master Junji Ito’s Tomie
Ninja theme park suddenly closes in Japan, shadow warriors undone by shady real estate deals
Burger King Japan brings back its insane all-you-can-eat One Pounder Challenge
You can send your suitcase from Tokyo to Kyoto on the Shinkansen for same-day delivery… but it’ll cost you
Pokémon and Polaroid reveal collaboration with adorable Pikachu and Eeveelution camera and film
Starbucks Japan releases two new seasonal drinks that blur the line between summer and autumn
“New York-style” tsukimi mochi burgers to appear at Wendy’s Japan this fall
Japanese gacha machine in Shibuya now sells tiny capsule terrariums
New Shinkansen Supreme Class private cabins get try-before-you-ride displays at Tokyo, other stations
Tokyo pub prohibits talking or keeping your phone out, only lets you drink in morning on weekends
Japanese convenience store sunglasses just became our newest Convenience Wear obsession