Six Surprising Reasons Japanese People Wear Masks, Even When There’s No Pandemic
If you’ve been puzzling over why Japan is such a “mask-wearing society,” it’s not because they’re all super-OCD about germs. Here are six excellent Japanese reasons to wear a mask that have nothing to do with the dread COVID:
1 – You overslept
Because if this is your typical morning routine…
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…you can cut your makeup time in half
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2 – You woke up with the Godzilla of pimples
[image error]Let’s face it, some blemishes are even too gnarly for coverup
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3 – Introverts gotta introvert
[image error]Naturally, the country that invented otaku culture is gonna embrace hiding in plain sight
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4 – You have to commute in this every day
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In a country where commuters spend as much as an hour and a half, twice a day, smashed up against five strangers in a subway car, you need all the virtual privacy you can get. Whether you pretend to be asleep, buried in a book, or mesmerized by your phone, wearing a mask adds another layer of distance to the least private part of anyone’s day.
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5 – It’s allergy season
Hey, wait, why do you have wear a mask if you have allergies? Allergies aren’t contagious!
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But the people around you don’t know that. If you’re sneezing and sniffling, it’s considerate not to worry them. Even when there are no deadly pandemics around, Japanese people tend to consider other peoples’ comfort before their own.
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6 – It’s the best fashion accessory ever
[image error]Be honest—which looks more badass?
There’s definitely a mask for every outfit…
[image error]…be it ghosts, curry rice, woodblock prints, or summertime goldfish
[image error]And a look for every spirit animal, be it cat, cephalopod or salamander…
[image error]You can never have too many!
These last ones are all from @gofukuyasan and are only available in Japan, but there are super awesome ones on Milanoo (who sell the introvert mask) and Etsy too!
(A special tip o’ the pandemic mask to William Chandler, for reminding me of the otakus!)
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Jonelle Patrick writes novels set in Japan, produces the monthly newsletter Japanagram, and blogs at Only In Japan and The Tokyo Guide I Wish I’d Had
