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They say that laughter is contagious—and now here’s proof. On Dec 23, the first-ever Tokyo International Laughter Competition will inject some levity to the proceedings at a pair of venues across town.
According to the organizers, “Competitive laughter is a new international trend, where people demonstrate the skills of contagious laughter to promote more laughter—to the entertainment of a live audience.”
The day begins at 11 a.m. with an hour-long event in Yoyogi Park (free), followed by a competition to crown Japan’s Best Laugher 2010 in Tsukiji from 12:30-4:30 p.m. (entry 6,000 yen). Guests can also catch the Japan premiere of the documentary "Laughology," plus an appearance by the film’s Canadian director, Albert Nerenberg.
For more information, or to audition for the competition, contact Akira Sugiura at 070-5599-1410 or dmt@apost.plala.or.jp. To attend the Yoyogi Park event, meet Sugiura at 10:45 a.m. at the Omotesando exit of Harajuku station.
Tsukiji Shakai Kyoiku Kaikan, 4-15-1 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku. Tel: 03-3542-4801. Nearest station: Tsukiji, Exit A3.
© Metropolis magazine (www.metropolis.co.jp)
17 Comments
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mikehuntez
¥6000? I'd be laughing at that if they think I'd pay that much to see this "event".
MrDog
I hope there will be little Japanese "comedy" because it's childish and unfunny.
Kwaabish
Mr. Dog,
Naah, they'll use replays of DPRK's Radio Press news clips instead. It's so outrageous, you can't help but laugh.
paulinusa
The Japanese people have a good sense of humor, but I wouldn't expect tears in your eyes belly laughs.
The758
Sorry, ¥6000 to enter as a guest or competitor?
ExportExpert
(entry 6,000 yen). - the organisers will be laughing all the way to the bank - they gotta be joking if they think anyone in their right mind will pay that
gogogo
hahahahahahahhahahha! what a joke!
as_the_crow_flies
Japan - joke? Well, that's appropriate...
smithinjapan
"Competitive laughter is a new international trend..."
Really? First I've heard of it. Regardless, I agree with those above, the only thing funny about this (in the comedic sense, not the strange sense) is the entry fee.
thetruthhurts
Isn't the 6,000 yen to enter the contest or is it to enter to see it? It can't be just to watch. That'd be too hilarious!
thetruthhurts
Actually, according to the site, it is to watch the movie about laughter, take part in a laughter workshop and to enter/watch the contest.
nandakandamanda
Well, let's hope it's genuine laughter. That would be infectious.
Some of the forced nervous adenoidal hyena-type background laughter on J TV drives me up the wall.
thetruthhurts
nandakandamanda,
I think that is the goal of the organization. Check out the site. They seem like decent folk.
nandakandamanda
Ah, if you follow the links, it's based on Laughter Yoga International, founded by Dr Madan and Madhuri Kataria.
tokyocrawler
i did a training course in laughter yoga,....although it sounds stupid to some at first..once you start, its totally contaigious and great fun. the 6000yen doesnt make me laugh as local laughter groups try to run these things as cheaply as possible usually. But sure overheads are high for large event spaces etc.
TrollWatch
Laughter Yoga is amazing. And it's really not a bad deal. It's a movie and the competition. Movie has very good reviews. This is only the second laughter contest in the world. First one in Montreal, Canada. These things really are funny.
dontpanic
"plus an appearance by the film’s Canadian director, Albert Nerenberg"
They should rename the event the Albert Rally.......or have I got that wrong??