Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa gives out $9m to twitter followers

Japanese billionaire, Yusaku Maezawa, is set to share a sum of $9 million to 1000 people on twitter as part of a social experiment. 

The stipulated cash was meant as an experiment to improve the happiness of the recipients.

The online shopping mogul who made the announcement via a YouTube video, described the contest as a “serious social trial” to see what impact a million yen ($9,000) could have on 1000 people’s life.

The post was made on January 1 and the billionaire asked that those who received the money should use it however they like after which they would answer regular questionnaires about how they’re using it.

Almost everyone was eligible for the contest which ended on January 7. Over 4 million people participated and it is expected a lottery will determine those who chosen. 

Maezawa will personally notify them in a direct message within two to three days, while the impact of the money will be tracked through regular surveys.

He also held same contest in January 2019, promising 100 million yen roughly $914,000 to 100 Twitter users.