Dancing Salaryman Takes TikTok by Storm

Toru Utsumi, a 60-year-old management consultant, has achieved global internet fame with his energetic dance videos. Despite facing local disapproval, Utsumi has garnered over a million fans on platforms such as TikTok and Instagram. He shares short, joyful clips of himself dancing in diverse settings, from busy train stations to tranquil beaches, often in contrast to Japan's buttoned-down corporate image.

His performances, which feature impressive moves like splits and cartwheels, are meticulously organized with a spreadsheet of over 1,000 songs to ensure variety. While Utsumi finds that dancing uplifts his spirit, some in Japan view his public performances as a nuisance. He has encountered criticism for being undisciplined or too old for such displays, highlighting a cultural tension between individual expression and societal expectations of order.