04:03A 'smiling instructor' in Tokyo has seen a sudden rise in demand for her bizarre classes, which teach students to stretch their mouths wider, as seen in footage captured on Thursday.
Keiko Kawano guides her students by asking them to perform a series of mouth exercises while they hold a mirror to their faces.
The smiling instructor says people forgot how to smile after wearing facemasks during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Many people tell me that they have been covering their mouths so long after the pandemic that they have forgotten how to smile with their mouths open and the corners of their mouths turned up," she said.
Kawano's 'Hollywood Style Smiling Technique', which focuses on specific facial expressions, showcasing eight upper-row teeth has gained much popularity.
"The smile we are aiming for is a Hollywood smile. We are aiming for a very nice smile like a flower blooming. However, the Japanese have always tended to favour a closed-mouth smile", Kawano explained.
Mask culture is still prevalent in Japan, with locals concerned with other contagious diseases, even after the government lifted its recommendation on public mask-wearing.
Smile like you mean it! - Japanese teacher shows locals how to grin like Hollywood stars after COVID-19 pandemic
A 'smiling instructor' in Tokyo has seen a sudden rise in demand for her bizarre classes, which teach students to stretch their mouths wider, as seen in footage captured on Thursday.
Keiko Kawano guides her students by asking them to perform a series of mouth exercises while they hold a mirror to their faces.
The smiling instructor says people forgot how to smile after wearing facemasks during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Many people tell me that they have been covering their mouths so long after the pandemic that they have forgotten how to smile with their mouths open and the corners of their mouths turned up," she said.
Kawano's 'Hollywood Style Smiling Technique', which focuses on specific facial expressions, showcasing eight upper-row teeth has gained much popularity.
"The smile we are aiming for is a Hollywood smile. We are aiming for a very nice smile like a flower blooming. However, the Japanese have always tended to favour a closed-mouth smile", Kawano explained.
Mask culture is still prevalent in Japan, with locals concerned with other contagious diseases, even after the government lifted its recommendation on public mask-wearing.
A 'smiling instructor' in Tokyo has seen a sudden rise in demand for her bizarre classes, which teach students to stretch their mouths wider, as seen in footage captured on Thursday.
Keiko Kawano guides her students by asking them to perform a series of mouth exercises while they hold a mirror to their faces.
The smiling instructor says people forgot how to smile after wearing facemasks during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Many people tell me that they have been covering their mouths so long after the pandemic that they have forgotten how to smile with their mouths open and the corners of their mouths turned up," she said.
Kawano's 'Hollywood Style Smiling Technique', which focuses on specific facial expressions, showcasing eight upper-row teeth has gained much popularity.
"The smile we are aiming for is a Hollywood smile. We are aiming for a very nice smile like a flower blooming. However, the Japanese have always tended to favour a closed-mouth smile", Kawano explained.
Mask culture is still prevalent in Japan, with locals concerned with other contagious diseases, even after the government lifted its recommendation on public mask-wearing.