Nobody likes to see a broken toy, especially at Christmas. But help is at hand from a group of generous volunteers across Japan. They're not elves, but they are skilled. This workshop in Tokyo is known as a “toy hospital.” There are others nationwide. And they're especially busy at this time of year. The volunteers breathe new life into gifts from Christmases past. This man in his 70s brought a Santa Claus doll that belonged to his daughter, who died seven years ago.
(Man brings in Santa doll) “She loved it when he moved. This doll is filled with memories of my family.”
Japan's “toy hospitals” have been running for decades. Some gifts just keep on giving.
◆elf 小人