A Japanese man went viral on the internet for his unique way of earning money by praising strangers for a nominal price on the streets of Japan’s city of Tochigi.
The man, known as Uncle Praise, said, “If I give praise, there will be fewer people who will feel bad”, adding that he would be aware of that sensation.
He offers compliments to passersby with a simple sign that reads, “I praise you so much!” His unusual profession has gained widespread media attention.
He said that he lost his job, family, house, and even his ability to pay his mortgage due to gambling in his hometown.
The setback in his life forced Uncle Praise to start a new chapter in his life.
He now spends his days promoting positivity and has visited 31 of Japan’s 47 prefectures to give them praise.
On average, he makes roughly 10,000 yen ($65) a day by complimenting more than 30 people.
Oldest person dies in Japan
Earlier last week, Japanese woman Tomiko Itooka, known as the world’s oldest person, died at the age of 116 in Japan’s city of Ashiya, media reported on Saturday. Itooka died on December 29 at a nursing home, where she has been residing since 2019, and left behind four children and five grandchildren.
Tomiko Itooka was born on May 23, 1908, in Osaka, four months before the Ford Model T was launched in the United States.
Itooka lived a whole century serving world wars and pandemics as well as witnessing technological breakthroughs and the recent year of artificial intelligence.
In a statement, the city’s mayor Ryosuke Takashima said, “Ms Itooka gave us courage and hope through her long life. We thank her for it.
Her family said that she played volleyball as a student.
In her older age, Itooka enjoyed bananas and Calpis, a milky soft drink popular in Japan, according to the mayor’s statement.
