‘We have to be careful’: why are masks still worn in Japan and South Korea?

The people of Japan and South Korea have been together for more than two years. While the US and countries in Europe debated the effectiveness of masks, Japanese and South Koreans covered up.

Explanations for the wildly contrasting coronaviruses death tolls in developed countries are many and varied, but in north-eastern Asia mask-wearing has been at the forefront of the public health response to the virus.

With cases stabilizing in Japan and South Korea, are people willing to live without masks?

South Korea, which has recorded 23,606 Covid-19 deaths in its population of 52 million, ended a requirement for masks to be worn outdoors this month.

He said it was nice to be able to take off his mask when he went for a walk.

The downward trend in daily cases of Covid-19 was attributed to the Omicron variant peaking in mid-March.

The impending arrival of a long, humid summer and the increased risk of heatstroke prompted some experts and officials to call for an end to advice to wear face coverings outdoors.

Hirokazu Matsuno, the chief cabinet secretary, said that people should take off their masks when the temperature is high and the humidity is high.

Despite the wide acceptance of face coverings in Japan, there are few signs of a return to a maskless existence, even as restrictions are loosened or abandoned in other countries.

Akino Yoshihara, an interpreter living in Kyoto, said she would feel more comfortable without a mask but would still wear hers to prevent the spread of the virus.

The president of the Japan Medical Association believes that face coverings will remain the norm for the foreseeable future.

Japan's government encourages face coverings at schools and places of business with large numbers of people, and encourages them to avoid crowded places.

Since the government does not have the power to make face coverings mandatory, the country has depended on high levels of public acceptance for mask-wearing and other anti-viruses measures.

In a country where mask-wearing is common during the flu season, few complained about continuing the habit throughout the Pandemic. There are few signs that people are ready to abandon their masks, however uncomfortable they may be at the hottest time of the year.

More than 50% of respondents wanted to continue using masks, with 22% saying they would wear their masks all the time. Only a small percentage of people wanted to cast them off.

When there are few people around, Misae Minami only takes her mask off. I need to be a role model.

Kim Ki-kyung, an office worker in Seoul, said that his mask had been an essential accessory for so long. It's annoying to take it on and off when you go indoors.

While Japan has a tiny anti-mask movement, peer pressure to stay covered up could be overwhelming, said Yuki Nakagome, a Tokyo-based writer who has started lowering his mask on warm days when no one else is around.

Raphael was reporting from South Korea.