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Why are people in Japan getting lessons in how to smile?

LEILA FADEL, HOST:

Good morning. I'm Leila Fadel. Maybe you've been here. You're walking down the street, you make eye contact with someone, and after having worn a mask for so long, you forget to smile. Well, people in Japan are getting lessons in how to smile again. Classes start with stretching to relax, then the practice of moving different muscles in the face to relearn how to smile without looking too awkward. Or you could work in radio, and nobody knows what your face is doing. I promise, I'm smiling. It's MORNING EDITION. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.

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SOMOS CONNECTICUT es una iniciativa de Connecticut Public, la emisora local de NPR y PBS del estado, que busca elevar nuestras historias latinas y expandir programación que alza y informa nuestras comunidades latinas locales. Visita CTPublic.org/latino para más reportajes y recursos. Para noticias, suscríbase a nuestro boletín informativo en ctpublic.org/newsletters.

The independent journalism and non-commercial programming you rely on every day is in danger.

If you’re reading this, you believe in trusted journalism and in learning without paywalls. You value access to educational content kids love and enriching cultural programming.

Now all of that is at risk.

Federal funding for public media is under threat and if it goes, the impact to our communities will be devastating.

Together, we can defend it. It’s time to protect what matters.

Your voice has protected public media before. Now, it’s needed again. Learn how you can protect the news and programming you depend on.