Masks also provide a degree of protection to the outer world if you happen to have the sniffles or a touch of the flu. How surgical masks help to protect people?Īs mentioned above, surgical masks can protect people both from getting coughs, colds, and more extreme illnesses from other people. Masks can even be used to cover up on days that you have a particularly giant zit, making them an excellent multi-purpose solution to daily Japanese life. Dust and pollen are also a concern for many Japanese residents, and surgical masks can prevent these particles from entering the lungs of those with hay fever or asthma. For the younger generation, masks can be used both as a fashion statement – with many unique designs available – and as a way to add a higher degree of separation from the world. By covering the mouth and nose, there’s less chance of becoming infected by an illness, something that’s especially vital when it comes to crowded commuter trains and big city living.Īlongside health reasons, there are a host of other, less-known ways that masks are used in Japanese culture. Japan uses masks as an extra degree of protection, both for those who are sick and those who don’t want to become infected. We’ve all been on public transport where someone is coughing and sneezing all over the place, potentially spreading germs at a rapid rate.
The most common and best-known reason that people in Japan wear surgical masks is for health – both for individuals and the people around them.
Somewhat inevitably, given its increased usage, the surgical mask has become a fashion item in its own right. Some people also put it on just to help maintain the skin’s moisture level, especially in winter when the air is dry. In a society that emphasises the importance of visual presentation, perfectly healthy Japanese women may choose to wear masks if they forgot or did not have the time to wear makeup. Others may choose to wear a mask to avoid hay fever or pollen allergies, which are rife in Japan.īut common courtesy in this country goes beyond just avoiding contagion. It’s a matter of common courtesy in Japan that people who cough, sneeze, sniffle or just have general lurgies should cover up to avoid spreading their nasties to those around them. So what’s going on? Sure, some of the mask-wearers are actually ill and want to avoid spreading their germs.
Yet plenty of perfectly well everyday folk adorn their faces with these medical masks daily. With so many people wearing surgical masks, it can make first-time visitors to the country feel like Japan is one big hospital ward, or a nation of hypochondriacs, determined to keep germs at bay. Jump on any train walk down any street or enter any workplace in urban Japan and you’ll find many people hiding the lower half of their faces.