FOLLOW-UP: A group of university students were on a mission earlier this year to change Japan — and make hugging more acceptable. Inspired by the original Free Hugs campaign in Sydney, and by living in the U.S., where people smile at strangers, Saki Inoue longs for friendliness and more hugs between Japanese. (Read the AFP story here)

(Must-see video from Sydney on WS-i earlier this year)