Meet 'Praise Uncle' who earns $60 a day for praising people on streets

A Japanese man being called "Praise Uncle," with $38,000 gambling debts, has become the talk of the town for his "passionate praising services" on Japanese streets. The 43-year-old was featured in the Japanese newspaper Asahi. A video of the man has been circulating on social media platforms showing him holding a sign that reads “I will praise you passionately". For his not-so-normal service, he often gets tips from people. Each day he compliments over 30 people on the road and makes $60.

In his multiple interviews with news outlets, he claimed that he fell into the grip of pachinko and gambling when he was 18. This habit led him to a pile of debts. His problems further accelerated when he lost his father and was even unable to pay the mortgage, which made his family lose their house.

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In 2022, he left his job, having $4 in his account, to become a street performer. However, he did not have any conventional skills like singing, dancing, or magic tricks. So, he chose a unique path, complimenting people.

In the viral video, he was seen praising a girl on a Tokyo street by calling her “lively, broad-minded, tender and captivating". After receiving the compliments, the girl smiled and offered him a 94 US cents as tip.

“At 19, you are so mature yet still youthful," he was seen complimenting a teenager.

"Praise Uncle" has said that complimenting strangers on the road is a challenging task, as sometimes people dealing with job loss and depression burst into tears.

“When others feel joy, I feel happy too. That is why I have continued this for three years," he told the South China Morning Post.

(With inputs from agencies)