TOKYO (Reuters) - A 25-year old Japanese man is finding
pleasure where others find pain -- he is making a living as a
human punching bag on the streets of Tokyo's fashionable Ginza
district.
For two weeks, Jun Sato, as he calls himself, has dressed up in
protective face and stomach equipment, stood on a sidewalk and
allowed anyone who feels the urge to punch him up for 1,000 yen
($10) for three minutes, the Mainichi Daily News said.
"I enjoy being used as a punching bag. It's good business and
also another way to experience life. I want to continue as long
as my body holds up," he told the newspaper.
So far only a few passersby have laced up and belted him, but
Sato says he enjoys the work after failing to find other jobs
and that his favorite part is chatting to people just after
they've beaten him.
He says he enjoys overcoming his fear of being hit after being
picked on in junior high school and quitting high school due to
a fear of bullies, the newspaper reported.
Sato's punching ploy appeared to be modeled on former pro boxer
Akira Hareruya, who became something of a media hero when he
took to the streets of Tokyo in an effort to pay off his debts
after his business went bust.
Hareruya lets men vent their frustrations in a one-minute slug-
fest for $9 while women can do the same for half price.
