Corona virus: Japan relaxes mask requirements | tagesschau.de

In Japan, as of today, wearing a mask is an individual choice. It is only recommended in medical facilities and crowded transport. But that shouldn’t make a big difference.

There was no legal obligation to wear protective masks during the corona pandemic in Japan. The state only issued recommendations. As of today, these have largely been lifted.

Wearing a mask will now be left to the decision of the individual, said Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. No one is forced to wear them or take them off. At the same time, Kishida asked people to continue wearing masks when dealing with people at risk to protect them from infection.

No more masks in schools either

According to the new guidelines, masks should continue to be worn in medical facilities, nursing homes and on crowded public transport. However, airlines and public transport will no longer ask their customers to wear mouth and nose protection. The same applies to supermarket operators.

Schools will also no longer require the wearing of a face mask from the start of the new school year on April 1st. However, it is expected that customers of hairdressers, beauty salons and other services where the distance to customers is close will still be asked to wear a mask.

The requirement to wear masks outdoors had already been lifted in the summer. However, it still applied to this day in public places such as restaurants and shops or for spectators at sporting events. Out of consideration for the customers, many employees in restaurants or shops will continue to wear mouth and nose protection for the time being.

Masks are commonplace in Japan

The easing should not mean a big change for the Japanese. Because while there was never a requirement to wear masks, they still wore them consistently during the pandemic – indoors and out. Because wearing masks, for example to protect others with a cold, was already part of normality.

Wearing masks was also part of everyday life in local public transport, and many even put on a face mask alone in the car. Hygiene is very important in Japan. Instead of shaking hands, people bow. Shoes are of course removed before entering the house. Talking loudly on trains, which are chronically overcrowded in Japan’s megacities like Tokyo, is also considered impolite.

A survey by a career portal with 560 people also showed that every second person still fears a corona infection and has already gotten used to the mask.

With information from Kathrin Erdmann, ARD Studio Tokyo.