Cheers and roars echo across Tokyo's business quarter this week as office workers take to the streets during lunchtime to compete in an inter-company tug-of-war contest.

48 teams (made up of eight men each) from offices in and around Tokyo's Marunouchi district are participating in the five-day competition being held between noon and 1 p.m. through Friday.

The winners of the tournament will face a team of professional wrestlers on Friday.

The event was founded last year with the aim of promoting health awareness and corporate exchange among workers in the area.

"It's such a nice opportunity to get to know fellow corporate warriors," said 53-year-old Tsuyoshi Suzuki, a senior staffer at adidas Japan K.K., after his side defeated a U.K. stock firm.

"It's also nice to get out of the office for some exercise with colleagues now and then."