A 53-year-old dancer is making waves on social media in Japan. While his infectious dance moves are rapidly gaining popularity, he’s chosen not to monetize his newfound fame on any social platforms. The dancer is inspiring many, demonstrating that age is no barrier in pursuing a passion, and that one can generate an online presence without necessarily capitalizing on it.
This story taps into the harmony of several facets of contemporary Japanese society: age inclusivity, the love for artistic tradition and innovation, internet culture, and the rising trend of non-monetization within the SNS space. The respect for age and wisdom in Japan enables older individuals, like our dancer, to remain active and involved in public life.
In the US or EU, monetization is typically a common practice among social media influencers or personalities. Usage of social platforms is frequently associated with generating income. However, this Japanese dancer's approach spotlights an emerging global trend of using internet fame to spread positivity and share passions, rather than capitalizing on it.