After two years of wearing face masks, many people in Japan have forgotten how to smile. But a new trend is emerging: smile lessons.

In the past, face masks were not as common in Japan as they are today. But when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the government recommended that people wear masks to help slow the spread of the virus. As a result, mask-wearing became widespread in Japan.

Now that the pandemic is starting to subside, the government has lifted its recommendation to wear masks. But many people are still reluctant to go without them. This is because they’ve gotten used to wearing masks and they’re not sure how to smile without them.

This is where smile lessons come in. Smile instructors teach people how to use their facial muscles to create a natural smile. The lessons typically involve using mirrors and practicing different facial expressions.

One of the most popular smile instructors in Japan is Keiko Kawano. Kawano is the founder of Egaoiku, which means “smile education” in Japanese. Kawano’s company has seen a four-fold increase in demand for smile lessons since the pandemic began.

Kawano believes that Japanese people are less likely to smile than people from other cultures. She says this is because Japanese people have a different cultural understanding of what a smile means. In Japan, a smile is often seen as a sign of weakness or vulnerability.

Kawano believes that it is important for Japanese people to learn how to smile again. She says that smiling can help people to feel more confident and happy. It can also help people to connect with others and build relationships.

If you are interested in learning how to smile again, there are a number of smile instructors in Japan who can help you. You can find a list of smile instructors by searching online or by asking your friends and family for recommendations.

Smiling is a powerful tool that can have a positive impact on your life. By learning how to smile again, you can improve your confidence, happiness, and the quality of your relationships.