![]() ![]() One wonders how accepting children are of these expectations. ![]() They are asked to not speak in a loud voice, and to wear masks when chatting after lunch. During lunch, students should not sit with their desks faced together, to avoid possible COVID-19 transmission from respiratory droplets. For example, masks are not required during physical education, but should be worn for choral singing. The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), and the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare have released guidelines concerning mask-wearing in schools. After nearly three years of constant mask-wearing, it is possible that the phenomenon is growing, and some specialists are concerned about possible impacts on children’s development. It is common among people with interpersonal insecurities. Recently, the term kao pantsu (face underwear) has even entered the lexicon, suggesting an equivalent shame in removing a mask in someone’s presence to removing underwear.īut the phenomenon of mask dependence, or feeling nervous without a mask, existed before the pandemic. Many Japanese people talk of “ fashion masks,” an indication that some regularly wear masks for reasons unrelated to hygiene. Over 37% of people said they wanted to keep wearing masks after the pandemic ended, including over 50% of girls aged 16–19.Īs a fresh wave of climbing COVID-19 infections coincides with the year-end influenza season, it seems likely that many people will continue to mask up. Interestingly, some indicated that their choice was based not on health concerns, but due to personal appearance: Their goal was to avoid the need to wear makeup or to shave. It was the second hottest summer on record, but the majority of people continued to wear masks.Īccording to a survey conducted in August, roughly 70% of respondents said they still mask up outside. In May 2022, the Japanese government announced that it was no longer necessary to wear masks outdoors, partly to reduce the risk of heat stroke, if maintaining a distance of 2 meters or more from others. Western countries have steadily shifted away from mask wearing, but Japan shows no signs of change. Recent headlines have been questioning if Japanese people will ever quit wearing masks.
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