As we have seen in the video, this would be a reductive take on this matter. The reasons are multiple, and not all of them have to do with reason or empathy.
This is something that has been either misunderstood or intentionally misconstrued by many. It is true that pre-Covid it was not uncommon to see a person wearing a mask in public, but like OP says this was prevent others from being exposed to their sneeze, cough, or runny nose. It was never about preventing anything, but many people automatically conflated what is a logical and reasonable use of the mask as physical barrier to keep fluids in with its use as a microscopic barrier to keep viruses out, a use that has been proven notional at best in repeated studies for decades before it suddenly became a claim with political implications. In my personal experience, high mask usage in Japan correlates with X factors: 1. Cultural momentum established while GoJ was falsely telling its citizens that masks afford protection from viruses 2. Unwillingness of the GoJ to now clearly disavow the efficacy of masks as a protective measure against viruses 3. Continued belief in #1 or deference to the feelings of others who still believe 4. Other incidental social benefits perceived during the time of masking mandates (e.g. kawaii eyes, no makeup, avoiding others)
I think many people wear it to make things less weird and awkward, also as a people deterrent like with headphones, also some people wear it because of the anxiety interactions with people can bring
I’ll never get the mask thing. So many of my students wear them all year round. I’ve never even seen some of their faces after nearly 8 months of teaching in Japan. Luckily, they are in the minority. My Japanese English teacher feels the same. I’ve only seen her wear a mask once when she was sick so it’s definitely not everyone. It is a much higher percentage than in America though.
I hope you can keep coming up with interesting ideas and have more videos go viral. The world needs this channel. Honestly, overall, these videos have given me a much more favorable impression of Japanese people. The government should support you.
And you didn’t notice that more people than before corona wear them now? Really? I’ve been here in Tokyo 16 years. The video interviews prove what I already know; A LOT of people especially girls wear it for style now; or insecurities- it’s a fact. And it’s overwhelmingly popular still in 2024. Also a lot of people in Japan still live in fear of corona and viruses. The pandemic really pulled a number on them. good luck to them fear kills more than corona virus the way it is nowadays. PS As much as I respect people than wear masks when sick, and for allergies as it makes a difference to them, during the pandemic I never wore a mask even in the trains I was the only one in millions in Tokyo trains that didn’t wear a mask. and I got the rona only once with only symptoms being loss of smell/taste lasting 3 days only. I was staying home during that period. And that’s it I never got the virus again. Everyone with masks has had the virus way more times than me and friends that never wore masks. It’s just not helping your immune system at all to live wearing a mask every single day all day. So many believe this misconception especially in Japan.
Very pertinent question. I do see many fewer people wearing masks, but it's still prevalant. More women than men, and more older people than young. I've heard that some girls feel more comfortable not showing their faces, which is slightly worrying. Overall though, I think the paniced overuse of masks here is coming to an end.
I understand how they feel for having infection, fever, allergies in japan because when covid started in 2020 I’ve been having a hard time wearing a mask because of my glasses because every time I breathe in a mask my glasses gets froged up that was a pain
For me is kinda to protect myself from contracting disease as I have many a times contracted illness due to others without wearing a mask and I also did not have self confidence in my facial appearance so it also acts as another type of protection. So in all it feels like a necessary accessory for many people.
@@realyua Maybe work on your self confidence instead - hiding behind a silly face mask ia not going to help you feel more confident. In fact, it will do the oppposite.
@@informative_wanderlust Maybe mind your own business and let Japanese people wear masks like they've been doing for years before covid was even a thing.
I saw a recent report on the news here in USA of the top 5 cities around the world that has the worst smog problem. So air pollution is another reason people still wear masks. FYI, Singapore was ranked 1; the others were Delhi, Tokyo, NYC/Houston (tied), Seoul
In 2001 my first time in Japan, before covid and sars, there was way less masked people, and all of them that I got the occasion to ask why, it was because of "kafunshô" (hayfever)
It's very off-putting when I encounter somebody wearing a medical mask in Japan outside of a hospital or dusty workshop. It's not at all cute in my opinion.
I wear mine at home when no one is here, and in the car when I drive, alone ... because .. (makes up some BS reason) ... lack of confidence in the humidity levels of the planet when Venus is ascending.
Stop being ignorant, guys. Japanese / Taiwanese had long been wearing mask, way before Covid. Have some respect. Even I myself wore mask more than 10 years ago during work, when I was sick, and didn't want to pass it to my colleagues. Even my boss back then was surprised and said it was a good move.
Paper and cloth masks don't stop the spread of viruses. It says so on the box and there have been countless studies, about micron measurements of virus particles vs passages through cloth and paper. If you can breathe freeley through it, almost all virus particles are flowing into the air.
It does save the girls who cover their mouths when they talk from having to hold their hand or phone up all the time. I’m guessing it’s also for crooked teeth
Asking the question reveals just how much in denial you are. We're in an ongoing pandemic that's killing thousands every week and disabling millions more.
1:24 I feel like this girl gave a very accurate answer 4:05 I really am annoyed at people who wear masks, but this girl had a cute personality. The fact that she joked with you was pretty great
It’s more culture shock than anything in the comments lmfao I wear them because I like the privacy and that’s all there is to it I don’t understand why it’s weird Whocares anyways. I thought most of you are from the land of the free, why do you care for such little things. Just let people wear what they want lmao
I never would have thought they think it's cute... I definitely don't want a mask on my pizza 🎭🍕😉 But what's even weirder to me than just that, if you're wearing something to be cute, why not a cute mask instead of the decidedly uncute paper ones? I wished he asked that and also asked if any of them happened to know that it's basically been proven that masks do nothing.
Your videos would be nicer if you didn't pressure viewers into your political opinions (not talking about this video). I think interviewers should be neutral and only interviewees' views should be presented. Otherwise, it's like a political agenda rather than informing us on what people in Japan think. Anyway, that's just my opinion.
Professional journalists should remain neutral perhaps, but RUclips videos can be just as much about entertainment as information. I for one enjoy observing how Japanese people react to thought provoking contrary opinions. In short, let him to do what he wants.
Your comment, Stan, is pushing your agenda on all of us. Or is it somehow different? I think you should start from telling to stop pushing agenda to all Left wing media, that is constantly, non-stop, pushing their agenda on all the world like there is no tomorrow. Just like you with your heavily biased opinion. To the contrary, the author of this channel is doing really good job. If you don't want to watch - don't watch, just us live our lives.
I’m surprised to hear this. I’ve watched a few episodes and I have yet to hear anything remotely political. Most Japanese really steer away from giving any political views. Which political topics were you referring to?
Even before covid lots of Japanese people wore masks when they had colds to avoid passing their illness to others.
As we have seen in the video, this would be a reductive take on this matter. The reasons are multiple, and not all of them have to do with reason or empathy.
@japaneselearning3892 You're reading too much into my sentence...it was a simple statement of fact. More of an observation than a "take".
I know right? In Asia like Japan people have traditionally always worn masks. Nothing to do with covid.
today in a shop, i was coughed all over by another customer. Eeww!
This is something that has been either misunderstood or intentionally misconstrued by many. It is true that pre-Covid it was not uncommon to see a person wearing a mask in public, but like OP says this was prevent others from being exposed to their sneeze, cough, or runny nose. It was never about preventing anything, but many people automatically conflated what is a logical and reasonable use of the mask as physical barrier to keep fluids in with its use as a microscopic barrier to keep viruses out, a use that has been proven notional at best in repeated studies for decades before it suddenly became a claim with political implications.
In my personal experience, high mask usage in Japan correlates with X factors:
1. Cultural momentum established while GoJ was falsely telling its citizens that masks afford protection from viruses
2. Unwillingness of the GoJ to now clearly disavow the efficacy of masks as a protective measure against viruses
3. Continued belief in #1 or deference to the feelings of others who still believe
4. Other incidental social benefits perceived during the time of masking mandates (e.g. kawaii eyes, no makeup, avoiding others)
Honestly, I don't know why Westerners get so bothered by this. Cultural habits, what's the problem?
I think many people wear it to make things less weird and awkward, also as a people deterrent like with headphones, also some people wear it because of the anxiety interactions with people can bring
If theywere blonde blue eyed with barbie faces like they long for….they wouldnt wear them
That girl in blue cracking up was a mood
*Oh NO! You can't change the outgoing music.....PUT IT BACK!*
BECAUSE... everybody needs a secret identity.
Dear Japanese Girls: masks do not make you cuter. Nothing is better than seeing your entire cute faces.
💯💯💯💯
I’ll never get the mask thing. So many of my students wear them all year round. I’ve never even seen some of their faces after nearly 8 months of teaching in Japan. Luckily, they are in the minority.
My Japanese English teacher feels the same. I’ve only seen her wear a mask once when she was sick so it’s definitely not everyone. It is a much higher percentage than in America though.
6:54 The laughing she fallen into - I love it ♥
I hope you can keep coming up with interesting ideas and have more videos go viral. The world needs this channel. Honestly, overall, these videos have given me a much more favorable impression of Japanese people. The government should support you.
Man, the ending took a left turn, and I fucking loved it.
Lived in Japan almost 20 years ago. Masks were already a thing then whenever someone was feeling sick and wanted to avoid getting others sick.
And you didn’t notice that more people than before corona wear them now? Really? I’ve been here in Tokyo 16 years. The video interviews prove what I already know; A LOT of people especially girls wear it for style now; or insecurities- it’s a fact. And it’s overwhelmingly popular still in 2024.
Also a lot of people in Japan still live in fear of corona and viruses. The pandemic really pulled a number on them. good luck to them fear kills more than corona virus the way it is nowadays.
PS As much as I respect people than wear masks when sick, and for allergies as it makes a difference to them, during the pandemic I never wore a mask even in the trains I was the only one in millions in Tokyo trains that didn’t wear a mask. and I got the rona only once with only symptoms being loss of smell/taste lasting 3 days only. I was staying home during that period. And that’s it I never got the virus again. Everyone with masks has had the virus way more times than me and friends that never wore masks. It’s just not helping your immune system at all to live wearing a mask every single day all day. So many believe this misconception especially in Japan.
Very pertinent question. I do see many fewer people wearing masks, but it's still prevalant. More women than men, and more older people than young. I've heard that some girls feel more comfortable not showing their faces, which is slightly worrying. Overall though, I think the paniced overuse of masks here is coming to an end.
It's like a niqab/veil.
想像するだけ無駄です
彼らはテレビ教カルトなんですよ
Essentially it also means people go to work sick
First time I see you've been had by an interviewee. That was cute.
I understand how they feel for having infection, fever, allergies in japan because when covid started in 2020 I’ve been having a hard time wearing a mask because of my glasses because every time I breathe in a mask my glasses gets froged up that was a pain
You doing actual street interviews, not the canned pre-planned invites, is good!👍The random questions at the end...😅
For me is kinda to protect myself from contracting disease as I have many a times contracted illness due to others without wearing a mask and I also did not have self confidence in my facial appearance so it also acts as another type of protection. So in all it feels like a necessary accessory for many people.
@@realyua Maybe work on your self confidence instead - hiding behind a silly face mask ia not going to help you feel more confident. In fact, it will do the oppposite.
@@informative_wanderlust Maybe mind your own business and let Japanese people wear masks like they've been doing for years before covid was even a thing.
I saw a recent report on the news here in USA of the top 5 cities around the world that has the worst smog problem. So air pollution is another reason people still wear masks. FYI, Singapore was ranked 1; the others were Delhi, Tokyo, NYC/Houston (tied), Seoul
Who cares let them do whatever they want
In 2001 my first time in Japan, before covid and sars, there was way less masked people, and all of them that I got the occasion to ask why, it was because of "kafunshô" (hayfever)
It's very off-putting when I encounter somebody wearing a medical mask in Japan outside of a hospital or dusty workshop. It's not at all cute in my opinion.
Yes totally agree, humans are social creatures and the mask just puts up an instant barrier. I despise them.
We just wear them. Always have since 2003 when SARS was a problem. No need to make it weird.
私は海外ではマスクを外していたけど、日本では.たまにマスクをつける。www
気分次第
I wear mine at home when no one is here, and in the car when I drive, alone ... because .. (makes up some BS reason) ... lack of confidence in the humidity levels of the planet when Venus is ascending.
日本人にとってのマスクは外国人にとってのサングラスみたいな感じです。
全然違うでしょ
サングラスをつけてる本人がそのまま効果を実感できる
Stop being ignorant, guys. Japanese / Taiwanese had long been wearing mask, way before Covid. Have some respect.
Even I myself wore mask more than 10 years ago during work, when I was sick, and didn't want to pass it to my colleagues. Even my boss back then was surprised and said it was a good move.
Paper and cloth masks don't stop the spread of viruses. It says so on the box and there have been countless studies, about micron measurements of virus particles vs passages through cloth and paper. If you can breathe freeley through it, almost all virus particles are flowing into the air.
Mask = weak immune system 👎🏻
No mask = strong immune system 👍🏻
Cuck.
Otaku girl is so cute and playful. Please marry me!
She's 36 yo under that mask
Osaka people really do have great humour 😂😂
It does save the girls who cover their mouths when they talk from having to hold their hand or phone up all the time. I’m guessing it’s also for crooked teeth
Deadpool, ya'll have watched that movie or not?
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 Love your random questions at the end.
I see an equal amount of intelligence and awareness versus completely idiotic and wasteful thinking here contrasting each other.
When you come home you take off your shoes and when you leave the house you put on a mask against pollution tatemae anonymous
insecurity
I love Japanese women...
Asking the question reveals just how much in denial you are. We're in an ongoing pandemic that's killing thousands every week and disabling millions more.
1:24 I feel like this girl gave a very accurate answer
4:05 I really am annoyed at people who wear masks, but this girl had a cute personality. The fact that she joked with you was pretty great
I still use too. Masks looks cool and it's convenient for introverts.
What a coward. Weak mentality.
At least these people are honest about the reason. We still have a lot of mentally challenged in the U.S. who wear them.
IT IS JAPANESE POLITE FASHION NOW.
I almost forgotten this channel. PHEW!!!!
It’s more culture shock than anything in the comments lmfao
I wear them because I like the privacy and that’s all there is to it
I don’t understand why it’s weird
Whocares anyways. I thought most of you are from the land of the free, why do you care for such little things. Just let people wear what they want lmao
コロナ禍の時の日本は中学生にマスクつけさせたままランニングさせて死なせたよ
マスク警察って呼ばれる奴らがマスクをしてない人を異常者扱い
いまだにそんな目で他人を見る奴らがいる
何が自由だよ、何が小さなことだよ
笑わせんなよ
People are interested because it stands out. Everyone who stands out are almost by definition interesting in one way or another.
I never would have thought they think it's cute... I definitely don't want a mask on my pizza 🎭🍕😉
But what's even weirder to me than just that, if you're wearing something to be cute, why not a cute mask instead of the decidedly uncute paper ones?
I wished he asked that and also asked if any of them happened to know that it's basically been proven that masks do nothing.
The next video should be asking gaijin in Japan:
"Why are you not wearing a mask in Japan?"
“ why are you not wearing a mask when you catch a cold?”
I don't know what mask you talking about all I get is mouth.
To protect others & yourself.
Yea those flimsy little surgical masks can prevent you from getting cancer too I heard - wake the fuck up you idiot
It's still to postpone the spread of diseases.
Masks don’t stop infections.
Mask is culture & for avoiding pollution. I always wear mask too in everywhere! 😷✌🏻
All those masks have to go somewhere after being used = pollution
Your videos would be nicer if you didn't pressure viewers into your political opinions (not talking about this video). I think interviewers should be neutral and only interviewees' views should be presented. Otherwise, it's like a political agenda rather than informing us on what people in Japan think. Anyway, that's just my opinion.
Professional journalists should remain neutral perhaps, but RUclips videos can be just as much about entertainment as information. I for one enjoy observing how Japanese people react to thought provoking contrary opinions. In short, let him to do what he wants.
Hey, tell it to Left wing media, alright! They push their opinions and agenda when they can and when they even shouldn't! Just like you.
Your comment, Stan, is pushing your agenda on all of us. Or is it somehow different? I think you should start from telling to stop pushing agenda to all Left wing media, that is constantly, non-stop, pushing their agenda on all the world like there is no tomorrow. Just like you with your heavily biased opinion.
To the contrary, the author of this channel is doing really good job.
If you don't want to watch - don't watch, just us live our lives.
I’m surprised to hear this. I’ve watched a few episodes and I have yet to hear anything remotely political. Most Japanese really steer away from giving any political views. Which political topics were you referring to?
Bruh he is american soo politics matters to him more than other aspects 😆
Some people wearing masks outside in excruciatingly hot summer are stupid