Face masks are coming off more and more these days in Japan, giving many people a reason to a smile. For some, though, reacquainting themselves with that facial expression is proving something of a ...

People march along a road with a large Tengu mask during the Tengu Parade, a traditional event held to drive away evil spirits and to bring good luck, at the Shimokitazawa shopping district in Tokyo ...

A poll by Japan's public broadcaster NHK last month showed 55% of people were wearing masks just as often now as when government guidance was in place during the pandemic, with just 8% having stopped ...

Now you can put a price on a smile. People in Japan who have become accustomed to wearing a face mask have turned to the help of a professional — to learn to smile again. After the Japanese government ...