World Laughter Day: the simple yet powerful act of laughing

The first Sunday of May is World Laughter Day 世界笑いの日. The commemoration was proposed in 1998 by Dr Madan Kataria, an Indian family doctor and founder of the global laughter yoga movement. But the first official celebration took place a decade later in 2008. 

His idea grew from the belief that laughter reduces stress, boosts immunity and encourages a positive mindset. Since the initial celebration in 2008, the event has spread to over 100 countries, where communities gather to laugh together and promote peace and friendship across borders. 

In Japan, World Laughter Day often falls during Golden Week. There are a lot of comedy events on around this time. Whether they are for "World Laughter Day", or for Golden Week and coincidentally on "World Laughter Day", I do not know. Japan has its own laughter related commemorations which people might be more familiar with. Such as "Smile Day" on February 5th or "Laughter Day" on August 8th.