According to "Audity Central," many Japanese have forgotten how to smile, and thus they are in urgent need of training to adapt their facial expressions once again. Many have sought "smiling instructors" to learn how to showcase their pearly whites without feeling embarrassed or shy. Sessions organized by the Akabane Center for Elderly Assistance have increased, with a growing number of people requesting individual lessons since the end of last year. The number of participants surged by 4.5 times after media reports in February 2023 indicated that the Japanese government would end its recommendation to wear masks against the coronavirus.
Kiko Kawano, a radio personality turned entrepreneur, told the Japan Times, "A smile is not a smile unless it is expressed... Even if you are happy, if you do not have those gestures on your face, your joy will not reach others." Kawano noted that she has taught the "art of smiling" to about 4,000 people so far and has also helped train around 700 specialists since starting her new work in 2017. However, the demand for her services has risen as people have begun to stop wearing masks, according to Al-Hurra. She added, "I’ve heard from people that even if they manage to get rid of the masks, they won't be able to smile again."
In the same context, smile trainer Miho Kitano explained, "Some say they are seeing more wrinkles around their eyes after trying to smile and laugh again, or they feel that their faces are drooping because they haven't used them as much before." Smiling instructors like Kitano claim that it literally resembles training other parts and muscles of the body, thus facial muscles also need training.
