<p>Valentine's Day is still around the corner, but Japanese men expressed love for their wives on Tuesday (January 29) in a very public way - by yelling "I love you" in a public park.</p><br /><p>In a country where modesty and reticence are traditionally valued over outspokenness, expressing love can be difficult.</p><br /><p>That's why dozens of Japanese men get together once a year in a Tokyo park to yell love messages for their wives in an attempt to show their appreciation for their loved ones.</p><br /><p>Messages vary from a simple "I love you" to more literary sentences; like what 31-year-old businessman Yusuke Ishikawa said: "I can fly higher because you're with me. Please stand by me forever."</p><br /><p>All participants need some nerve to get their messages delivered as the event - marking its 5th year - as it is broadcasted nationwide, and sometimes worldwide.</p><br /><p>"Shouting in front of such a crowd really makes my heart thump with the adrenaline," said Ishikawa.</p><br /><p>All the embarrassment, however, seems to reap rewards as husbands' heart-felt messages often send their wives weak at the knees.</p><br /><p>"He's very fabulous and manly today. It just reminded me how macho he used to be; the fact that I've forgotten for last 8 years since I married him. My heart pounded," 33-year-old Yuko Todo said after watching her husband Takeshi's performance on the stage.</p><br /><p>But the public professing of love doesn't always hit home, like the case of 38-year-old Kazuteru Tatsuhana who yelled "I'll hug you very tight tonight. Thank you for your love," for his wife Masumi.</p><br /><p>"Well, he's hugging me tight pretty much every night, so I'm a bit worried that it's going to be even tighter tonight," Masumi said.</p><br /><p>Kiyotaka Yamana, who started the event 5 years ago with a support from a local flower shop, is advocating more explicit ways for Japanese men to show their affection.</p><br /><p>Yamana says the recent thaw of Japanese economy is positively affecting the conjugal relationships among Japanese families.</p><br /><p>"The economy is getting better in Japan, and I see a lot of Japanese married couples are getting more active in deepening their relationships by challenging themselves to new hobbies or activities together," said Yamana who leads Japan Aisaika Organization.</p><br /><p>The evening event ended with all participants shouting together "Ah-ee-shi-te-rhoo" or I love you."</p><br /><p>(Video Source: Reuters)</p>
