With people around the world wearing masks in public places for over a year now, we’ve all just had to get used to it.
Most businesses in Japan display signs asking for their customers’ cooperation to wear a mask while on the premises. And while a variety of masks have been developed, from brightly-colored, washable, breathable, designed for sports, etc, where are the clear masks?
Unicharm’s New Clear Mask
On April 27, the major Japanese manufacturer of hygiene products, Unicharm, began receiving orders for a new kind of mask.
Called 顔が見えマスク in Japanese, it translates roughly as "Face-Viewing Mask," which as the name implies, allows a clear view of the wearer’s mouth and facial expressions.
With everyone wearing masks, and the use of barriers at registers, in schools, and restaurants, there are many impediments to our everyday communication.
This is a problem in particular for those with hearing impairments, who rely on reading people’s lips to know what they are saying.
This mask was developed specifically for people with hearing and speech disabilities who are now experiencing difficulties communicating due to wearing normal masks.
Unicharm’s mask is designed to cover the nose and chin and minimize gaps as much as possible. It’s also made of anti-glare transparent film.
While mouth guards do show one’s face, they are known to be ineffective in preventing infection from water droplets that escape from our mouths during respiration and conversation.
The mask can be washed by hand with water, so it is reusable.
Hopefully this mask will help many people communicate more easily!
For more information, or to order your own, check out Unicharm’s website from the link below.
Shipment to begin from May 28.
Order from Unicharm Direct Shop
Price: 1,480 yen
Size: Unisex, one size fits all
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- External Link
- https://grapee.jp/en/
12 Comments
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Fuzzy
Looks like someone put their ski goggles on incorrectly.
Kyakusenbi_Arimasu
DanielsanToday 01:53 pm JST
I like wearing a mask, and I like it even more that other people wear masks. And not from worries over covid, I like the anonyminity of not just myself, but being able to ignore others. It brings a whole new level of privacy to being in public. I shall continue to wear a mask after the pandemic is over. Mom
But Chinese software will still recognize you as does the Apple 12
Wick's pencil
I hope this mask wearing thing will come to an end soon, though I do enjoy wearing a gimp mask from time to time.
Danielsan
I like wearing a mask, and I like it even more that other people wear masks. And not from worries over covid, I like the anonyminity of not just myself, but being able to ignore others. It brings a whole new level of privacy to being in public. I shall continue to wear a mask after the pandemic is over. Mom
TriniinJapan
I'm here for this. Its crazy to not see peoples faces. Like how do you remember someone if your only speak to them via their eyes?? I want one!!
Pukey2
Yeah, just about as useless as a see-through bikini.
thepersoniamnow
Probably fogs up and makes you look like a window in the winter.
virusrex
May not be as comfortable as a the usual disposable non-woven masks and obviously less effective than a well fitted respirator, but at least they seem to offer much more protection than the useless face shields or mouth wards that now became so common to see in TV shows.
Skeptical
Just my luck someone will see that I just had broccoli for lunch and I didn't have time to brush.