Crying Day (Naku Hi)

What Is Crying Day?

July 9th is Crying Day (Naku Hi) in Japan — a wordplay on "7" (na) + "9" (ku), which sounds like "naku" (to cry) in Japanese. Registered with the Japan Anniversary Association, the day encourages people to rediscover the value of crying and to use tears as a tool for emotional and physical renewal in a society that often pressures people to suppress their feelings.

The Science Behind Tears

• Stress hormone release: Emotional tears contain cortisol (the stress hormone) and ACTH, which are literally expelled from the body when you cry
• Endorphin release: The sense of relief after crying comes from a surge of endorphins — the brain's natural painkillers and mood lifters
• Parasympathetic activation: After crying, breathing slows and heart rate drops as the body shifts into "rest mode"
• Oxytocin release: When moved to tears by someone else's pain or beauty, the brain releases oxytocin (the bonding hormone), deepening feelings of trust and connection

Three Types of Tears

• Basal tears: Produced continuously to keep the eyes lubricated
• Reflex tears: Triggered by physical irritants like onion fumes or a speck of dust
• Emotional tears: Produced in response to sadness, joy, or awe — these contain stress compounds and serve as the foundation of "crying therapy"

"Ruikatsu" — Japan's Intentional Crying Culture

A Japanese practice called "ruikatsu" (tears activity) has gained attention in recent years. The idea is to deliberately seek out content that moves you to tears — a sad film, beautiful music, or a touching book — and experience the emotional catharsis that follows. Japan has a well-developed culture of "cry-worthy" media, and some practitioners have coined the title "tears sommelier" for curators of emotionally resonant content.

Fascinating Facts About Crying

• Sleep improvement: Emotional release through crying tends to lead to deeper, more restful sleep
• The male crying problem: Cultural pressure on men to suppress tears has been linked to chronic emotional repression and an increased risk of depression
• Immune function: Regularly releasing emotions through crying helps regulate the autonomic nervous system, supporting immune health

How to Spend Crying Day

• Find a safe, private space and allow yourself to cry freely — emotional housekeeping is essential maintenance for a healthy mind
• Practice intentional ruikatsu: choose a film, book, or song known to move you and give yourself permission to feel it fully
• Write a heartfelt letter of gratitude to someone important to you — the act of writing often brings tears of appreciation all on its own

Tears Are a Sign of Strength

Crying Day exists to dismantle the myth that crying is weakness. Tears are the signal that you are being honest with your own heart. Science has already proven that crying makes people stronger. On July 9th, set aside what others might think and simply let yourself feel. After the tears have passed, you may find that the sky looks just a little bit bluer than before.