Japan unmasked? COVID-19 mask guidelines eased

The Japanese government eased its COVID-19 guidelines regarding the wearing of face masks on Monday, in large part leaving the decision whether or not to wear face coverings to the judgment of the individual. 

Under updated guidelines the government has moved away from the kind of blanket recommendations for all individuals to wear face masks indoors and outdoors that were issued during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Instead, the government’s stance is to leave the decision to wear a mask to the judgment of the individual while asking for consideration that their decision be respected such that they will not be forced to wear or remove masks against their will.

(On the streets of Tokyo's Shimbashi district, an area frequented by many office workers.  Photo taken March 10, 2023.)

When it is recommended to wear a face mask in Japan?

The guidelines do, however, recommend wearing face masks in certain situations in order to prevent infection among the elderly and others at high risk of serious illness. Situations include when visiting medical facilities and care homes for the elderly, and when using crowded trains or buses, although not in the case of modes of transportation where all passengers can be seated including shinkansen bullet trains and highway buses. 

The government recommends people at high risk of serious illness to continue wearing a mask in crowded places as an effective measure to protect themselves from infection during an epidemic.

Although the wearing of face masks is now down to the discretion of the individual, businesses may still require customers or employees to wear masks for infection control or business reasons, according to the guidelines.

Hospital staff and staff at care homes for the eldery are recommended to wear masks while on duty. 

“The current guidelines, which state that in principle masks are not required outdoors and should be worn indoors, will be changed to one that respects the individual's choice and leaves the wearing of masks to the individual's judgment, rather than a uniform rule imposed by the government,” Health, Labor and Welfare Minister Katsunobu Kato said at a press conference Friday.

“Each individual's decision is his or her own, and I would like people to respect that,” he said. 

Wearing face masks has not been a legal requirement in Japan, even during the height of the pandemic, but the practice has been widely adopted.  

When the government dropped its recommendation for people to wear masks outdoors in May 2022, the advice appeared to fail in reaching much of the public. Around 60 percent of people were unaware or unclear about the new guidance regarding wearing masks outdoors, according to survey data published later that year.

The status of COVID-19 in Japan is due to be downgraded to the same class of diseases such as seasonal influenza from May 8. Following the downgrade, coronavirus patients will, in general, be required to pay for their own medical expenses.  

During a health ministry advisory board meeting on March 8, experts discussed “new health habits” that should be practiced after the downgrade.  

Experts highlighted five basic infection control measures required of individuals - health management, wearing masks and coughing etiquette according to the situation, ventilation and avoiding the “3Cs,” hand washing, and lifestyle habits including taking exercise and paying attention to diet.

“We have been able to come this far with the cooperation of the people of Japan and the medical community. I would like people to return to daily life as soon as possible while paying close attention to the situation surrounding the infection,” the health minister said Friday.