The popularity of mahjong currently varies from country to country and there are many governing bodies which host exhibition games and tournaments. While it is growing in popularity worldwide, it is still significantly more popular in Asia than in Western cultures.
In Japan, efforts have been taken to revive its popularity as some believe that it has since decreased. This has been achieved by introducing several manga stories involving mahjong as well as video arcades that offer the ability to connect to others over the internet.
In the Chinese community, mahjong is still heavily ingrained as a popular game. There have even been Hong Kong movies that often include scenes of mahjong games to the point where it has even created its own sub-genre as “mahjong movie.”
Recent studies by doctors have shown that in Hong Kong, the game of mahjong is beneficial to individuals suffering from dementia or cognitive memory difficulties which has prompted the development of mahjong therapy.
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