3 facts about fake manifestations of Japan (9 photos)

Japan is one of the most secluded and mysterious countries on the planet. Its inhabitants honorably preserve the ancient heritage of their ancestors.





But the inhabitants of the Land of the Rising Sun in modern realities have many quirks that seem absurd and strange.

1. Prison for the elderly false criminals



Walls and fences of the Tochigi Women's Prison

Many elderly people in Japan are lonely and have difficulties. Some even prefer to solve them... by going to prison.

Imagine rooms filled with elderly people. They slowly shuffle along the corridors, some use walkers. Workers help them with hygiene, eating, moving around, and taking medications.

But this is not a nursing home - it is the largest women's prison in Japan. The population here reflects an aging society and the problem of loneliness.





Cells at Tochigi Women's Prison, where one in five inmates is elderly

Takayoshi Shiranaga, an official at Tochigi Women's Prison, north of Tokyo, said there are even people who say they are willing to pay 20,000 or 30,000 yen a month if they can stay there forever.

Women in Tochigi live behind bars and are forced to work in prison factories. But many are happy with that. After all, they get food, help, medical care, and of course, the companionship that they lack on the other side of the walls.

There are people who come here because they are cold or hungry. Those who get sick can get free medical care while they are in prison, but once they get out, they have to pay for it themselves, so some people want to stay here as long as possible.



A Tochigi Prison Inmate

Across Japan, the number of prisoners aged 65 and over has almost quadrupled between 2003 and 2022, changing the nature of incarceration. Shiranaga said that guards are now required to change prisoners' diapers, help them wash, and eat.

At the moment, it looks more like a nursing home than a prison full of criminals.

Of course, the government is considering proposals to make housing and benefits available to as many seniors as possible, and 10 municipalities across the country are already testing initiatives to support seniors who have no immediate family.

But will this be enough in a country with one of the world's highest life expectancies and lowest birth rates?

2. Cafe for hanging out with fake friends



"A cafe run by your friend" or "A cafe run by your friends" - how do you like this name? Very telling and literal. Such a place exists in Tokyo's Harajuku district, which is always at the forefront of youth cultural trends.



Actors, models, and creative people from the entertainment industry work here, pretending to be friends with visitors for money.

This unique approach to customer service is especially evident in Japan.



The cafe has only been open for a couple of years. But it is popular among both adults and young people. Perhaps the main reason is the loss of social skills. After all, many Japanese don't have real friends with whom they could go to a cafe and just chat. Everything is drawn to the virtual world and gadgets.

And such an establishment is an excellent, albeit thought-provoking way to feel alive and, perhaps, create new or restore old friendships.

3. Ersatz compliments from a representative of a unique profession



A man offers "passionate praise" on the street to pay off debts, and earns $60 a day.

A Japanese man who owed six million yen in card games has fulfilled his childhood dream of becoming a street performer. By offering a "passionate praise service" to passersby, he has inspired many people online.

A man known as "Praise Uncle" has been spotted on the streets of Japan, according to the Japanese newspaper Asahi.

He was seen holding a sign that read, “I will praise you profusely.” The man earns tips by complimenting passersby.

The 43-year-old compliment-giver revealed that he became addicted to gambling at the age of 18 and ran up huge debts.

After his father suffered a stroke, he could no longer pay his mortgage and was left homeless.

In 2021, he quit his job to pursue his childhood dream of becoming a street performer.

With no traditional talents like singing or magic, he came up with the idea of ​​offering a praise service.

The "Praising Uncle" emphasized that giving sincere compliments to strangers is difficult:

Praising someone's inner qualities at the first meeting can seem insincere, so I often start with their appearance. When others are happy, I feel happy too. That's why I've continued to do this for three years.



He also tailors his compliments to personal situations. The praiser has visited 31 prefectures in Japan and plans to expand his business to all 47.

Despite having to live in internet cafes and cheap hotels, he has no regrets, believing that the most important thing is to live in the present and enjoy life.

Users have expressed their admiration for him, and some even hope to try it themselves.