Kyodo News (Nov. 16) Number of people infected with COVID-19 Japan’s daily death toll topped 100,000 on Tuesday. It was the first time in two months after the government lifted border controls. and implemented a domestic travel subsidy program to boost inbound and outbound tourism last month.
Japan is facing an eighth wave of COVID-19 infections, with 105,184 cases reported on Tuesday surpassing 100,000 for the first time since September 14, when the daily total reached 100,260.
The northernmost main island of Hokkaido which is a popular tourist destination reported the highest number of cases at 10,906, while Tokyo saw 11,196 cases, hitting a peak of 10,000 for the first time in two months.
in October The government has raised the limit on the number of arrivals each day. and lifted the ban on solo travel on unscheduled travel He also launched the National Travel Discount Program, offering subsidies of up to 11,000 yen per person per night for up to 7 nights.
A recent survey by Laibo Inc. reveals that nearly 60% of people in Japan are unaware of mask practices.
Although the guidelines were published in May. And the government’s stance on wearing masks has not changed. The survey found that 18.4 per cent of respondents were not aware of the guidelines. Although 40 percent know but do not know the specific details.
This compared to 58.4 per cent generally not knowing, On the other hand, 41.6 per cent said they were aware.
Wearing a mask remains the norm in Japan, although 72.7 percent said they agreed to stop the practice. Among the respondents, 33.9 percent said They like to remove their masks.
In an online survey from October 12 to 17, collecting a sample response from 1,011 working adults, 52.5 percent said the government’s explanation of the recommendations was insufficient. Include information that wearing a mask is only an option in a large indoor area, not crowded.
Among the reasons why people love to wear masks Some cited the ongoing epidemic and deaths related to coronavirus, saying that they wear masks to protect against winter flu and spring hay fever. including COVID-19
The cause of the COVID-19 outbreak Masks are making a comeback across Japan recently, with many still “uncomfortable” with removing their masks in public. as he has been used to wearing masks for more than 2 years
Although Japan no longer has an official mask mandate. But in other Asian countries such as Singapore and South Korea, masks are still common. Although their government lifted a ban on outdoor masks in March, and September, respectively.
In China, which continues to have a strict “no-COVID” policy, people are asked to wear masks on subway trains and in shopping malls.
on the contrary some western countries took off their masks before anyone else. As the pandemic situation in many parts of the world improves.
Some survey respondents felt that Japan should keep up with other countries. With the number of foreign tourists increasing due to the reopening of borders to foreign tourists.
Daniel Barter, an Australian tourist traveling in Tokyo. He said it was rare to see people wearing masks in his homeland again.
The 30-year-old said: people in their country He said he “knows very well” that wearing masks is no longer necessary thanks to “very clear messages” from authorities on social media as well as on television.
About understanding mask etiquette after arriving in Japan Barter said “It’s not clear at all.” In the end, I was thinking whether I should wear it or not. probably by observation from the people around
“It was announced when we arrived that you have to wear (a mask) on the train and in the airport terminal. And that was the last I heard about it,” he said.
