WHEN the World Reggae Dance Championship unfolds at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre this evening, two unlikely groups will be among the 16 finalists.

These are the six-member, all-male Japanese group Attack Dem Squad from Osaka, and Yallow Yellow from Tokyo. Besides confidence in winning, the groups share a similar source of inspiration.

According to Ryosuke Zushi, Attack Dem squad’s group leader, they were given the thumbs up by late dancer Gerald ‘Bogle’ Levy.

Zushi said his group visited Jamaica in 2002. They went to the once-popular weekly street dance Passa Passa in Kingston. Their dancing caught the attention of Bogle who encouraged them.

Levy was shot and killed in January 2005.

Attack Dem squad also comprises Ryo Takaoka, Shaketown Yamamoto, Saigou Byakuno, Yusaku Hayachi, and Tatsuya Hashimoto.

Zushi says Jamaican dance is very popular in Osaka. He also claims it is Japan’s dancehall centre.

Being winners in the One Love Jamaica Festival held in Japan, the five-member group Yallow Yellow were given an automatic spot in the finals. The Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) were involved in that project.

Takashi Kobayashi, Yacheemi Tatsuo Yatani, Genkishimada Maxxxx, Masako Suzuki and Yukako Uchikoshi make up the group.

“We are really focused and confident of taking home the trophy,” members told the Jamaica Observer.