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Japanese social conformity behind wearing of face masks

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Oh, geez... here we go with the "unique Japan" nonsense. I can show you plenty of people who don't conform, and of those who do, nearly a third who don't wear it properly, and of the total who do wear them those who constantly touch them at the front, and nearly all think it's some sort of panacea to everything.

-4 ( +36 / -40 )

Yeah right. I'll take a photo of every person I see not wearing a mask or improperly wearing one. I'll probably need to clear out my cloud memory to make room for all the pics.

0 ( +21 / -21 )

This article just a day after the Anti-Mask protest article.

17 ( +21 / -4 )

90% of the foreigners I see in Tokyo every day dont wear a mask.

Ignorrant and irresponsible!

-9 ( +35 / -44 )

@since1981, shhh! that didn't happen, what happens is that people here are conformists and are nails that are already hammered down.

15 ( +21 / -6 )

Interesting. I would also like to see cross-cultural data and global comparisons on the use of face masks.

23 ( +24 / -1 )

Social conformity is always a double-edged sword: it can also be a handy vehicle to spread viruses.

21 ( +23 / -2 )

90% of the foreigners I see in Tokyo every day dontwear a mask.

Where I live, those not wearing masks are only Japanese people.

7 ( +28 / -21 )

ToshihiroToday  06:59 am JST

LOL

3 ( +6 / -3 )

While there are obviously some exceptions, for the most part Japan (as well as other East Asian countries) already were familiar with wearing masks for colds, hay fever, etc. So it isn't totally alien. And as the article points out there is a "what's socially acceptable" thing in Japan, basically few people want to stand out in a crowded supermarket looking like a selfish idiot. In contrast, in the U.S. not only do some jerks not give a damn about what people think, they'll get into fights (including shootings) with store guards telling them to wear a mask. Of course masks, which should have remained a medical issue, have been turned into a political issue making it all the more harder to achieve social acceptance.

27 ( +33 / -6 )

The proof in the pudding. Masks work. It has been the common factor in every country with low infections rates.

5 ( +21 / -16 )

Interesting article. They're acting out of obligation and shame rather than care and compassion.

That explains the nose exposers and the chin strappers. They feel they're doing enough to conform. No critical thought for the real reason of wearing a mask properly.

Now, blind conformity, perhaps that is relatively unique to Japan.

8 ( +16 / -8 )

Protecting wearers from being infected and preventing them from infecting others, as suggested by the World Health Organization, was near zero, showing almost no correlation with the decision to wear a mask.

Being seen to conform on public transportation is the norm but the masks do come off.

Wearing masks in the restaurants, bars and clubs all over Japan is not being observed so there will continue to be clusters appearing.

5 ( +9 / -4 )

I'm not so sure the Japanese would have embraced mask wearing had it not been for SARS in 2003 and several other outbreaks in Asia over the last couple decades. Asian countries and people in general got used to the idea of wearing masks in recent years, while in the West, diseases like SARS and Bird Flu rarely reached their shores in large numbers. When I came to Japan in 2007, a few of my students wore masks and I thought it was the weirdest thing. I swore I would never wear a mask. I was even told that masks harbor viruses as they're warm and moist inside. Then gradually I saw more and more people wearing masks, even when they weren't sick. But that happened all over Asia, not just Japan. I wore a mask to work last year for the first time and so I can understand the resistance people have towards wearing one, especially as a foreigner.

The question is, had it not be for SARS and other viral outbreaks, would the Japanese be wearing masks like they are today? Or would the response to make wearing be like Japan's response to other foreign ideas. For example, why hasn't Japan embraced English like some other Asian countries? Why hasn't Japan embraced improved technology in the classroom? Smoking in public? Immigration? Light hair color? How how about the idea of shared custody of children? (Sorry to go off topic) I could probably go on and on about ideas that Japan does not quickly embrace and conform to. Maybe in some alternate universe, Japan would be the LAST country to embrace mask wearing.

-2 ( +5 / -7 )

The conformist lemming society regardless of whether masks (ranging from the N95 to bandana) are effective in any positive way. Interestingly, the Danes and Swedes have a very different take.

https://fee.org/articles/europes-top-health-officials-say-masks-arent-helpful-in-beating-covid-19/?fbclid=IwAR3hVbW4AK3DhB8XQD-nzTYV7fjKJzsDP_RYjBjHmYhFICAXKUMzHYI5DPY

-7 ( +2 / -9 )

Protecting wearers from being infected and preventing them from infecting others, as suggested by the World Health Organization, was near zero,

This is the oddest part. Were both of those reasons lumped together as one?

Also, were multiple answers possible? Or only one?

I ask these questions because a lot of people I talk to say they're really scared of CATCHING the virus, and they wear masks almost all of the time. Does this mean that even if personal safety is an important secondary reason, it doesn't register in the results because there is no option for multiple answers?

8 ( +8 / -0 )

I'm not so sure the Japanese would have embraced mask wearing had it not been for SARS in 2003

Duuuuude. Seriously?

1919 Spanish flu. Japanese wore masks. 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake fires (smoke). Masks. 1934 flu epidemic and every flu season after that Japanese wore masks. Since the 1950s growth of cedar pollen and beach pollen allergies. Masks.

It's been going on for a 100 years.

7 ( +12 / -5 )

Ever get the feeling you are slowly being brain washed by reading these headlines?

4 ( +9 / -5 )

The question is, had it not be for SARS and other viral outbreaks, would the Japanese be wearing masks like they are today? 

They were wearing them for years before SARS, so I’d say yes.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

What a pointless survey. Why not do a similar study on why people in Japan tend to wear seatbelts in cars.

-4 ( +3 / -7 )

It goes back even further. Other media outlets, showed a detail of a woodblock print from the Edo Period (1603-1868) showing a patient at a medical clinic covering his mouth with a piece of cloth.

The modern history of masks begins in the Meiji Era (1868-1912), according to Tamotsu Hirai, a clinical pharmacist and an avid collector of vintage medical paraphernalia, including masks., who makes regular trips to antiques fairs held in the capital to find old pharmaceutical equipment.

Initially imported for mine, factory and construction workers, facial masks back then featured outer shells made from cloth fitted with brass wire mesh filters. In 1879, one of the first domestically produced masks was advertised in newspapers.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

and I like it that way. Back home in Europe, and not to talk about US, everybody is a smart **s who knows better and nobody tells him/her what to do.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

The conformist lemming society regardless of whether masks (ranging from the N95 to bandana) are effective in any positive way. Interestingly, the Danes and Swedes have a very different take.

https://fee.org/articles/europes-top-health-officials-say-masks-arent-helpful-in-beating-covid-19/?fbclid=IwAR3hVbW4AK3DhB8XQD-nzTYV7fjKJzsDP_RYjBjHmYhFICAXKUMzHYI5DPY

Very weird article, changing recommendations once is described as "going back and forward", the usefulness of masks on open public spaces is generalized as if it were the same in every kind of situation, and repeatedly mention that "public health officials" say masks worsen the infection and increase health problems, but not even once they say who is the one that said that and, more importantly, which data they used to say such thing.

It also makes a point to say that there is no hard, experimental, conclusive data of the efficacy of masks against covid19, but hand washing, social distancing, etc. is also on the same situation (until now we have only indirect epidemiological numbers to support their usefulness).

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Duuuuude. Seriously?

1919 Spanish flu. Japanese wore masks. 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake fires (smoke). Masks. 1934 flu epidemic and every flu season after that Japanese wore masks. Since the 1950s growth of cedar pollen and beach pollen allergies. Masks.

It's been going on for a 100 years.

Americans wore masks too in 1919 and I'm sure farmers wore them too in the 1930s Dust Bowl. I think you're totally missing the point duuuuuude.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

Research has shown that if using a Likert Scale in Japan it should be even numbered. On a scale of 1 to 5 most Japanese will select 3.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

When was the survey held ?

It is during declaring state of emergency??

or lifting the restrictions??

But it’s an interesting correlation which help how governments call for residents

With its findings, the team urged public health policymakers to "consider social motivations when implementing public strategies" to fight the virus.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Wearing masks is an established custom. If you want to judge Japanese people on "conformity", some new behaviour that is less customary, distancing in the supermarket, washing your hands for a full thirty seconds, etc. might be more illustrative.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

The modern history of masks begins in the Meiji Era (1868-1912), according to Tamotsu Hirai, a clinical pharmacist and an avid collector of vintage medical paraphernalia, including masks., who makes regular trips to antiques fairs held in the capital to find old pharmaceutical equipment.

Initially imported for mine, factory and construction workers, facial masks back then featured outer shells made from cloth fitted with brass wire mesh filters. In 1879, one of the first domestically produced masks was advertised in newspapers.

That came from there : https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2020/07/04/national/science-health/japans-history-wearing-masks-coronavirus/

NB : thanks for putting relevant source and quote mark.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Sometimes it's good to be Sheeple.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

Americans wore masks too in 1919 and I'm sure farmers wore them too in the 1930s Dust Bowl. I think you're totally missing the point duuuuuude.

Exactly, and if you had asked most Americans in 2018 about that most wouldn't even know.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

@ sourpuss

Protecting wearers from being infected and preventing them from infecting others, as suggested by the World Health Organization, was near zero,

This is the oddest part.

I agree.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

I see a TON of Japanese nationals, mainly male, who either don't wear masks or if they do wear them , it's under their chin (which serves ZERO purpose.)

There are also some women who don't wear as well, but at least the ones that do wear them, do it properly.

There's also many people who do properly wear their masks out.

So at this point, there's no such thing as race or nationality or sex or whatever when it comes to masks.

It's either you're wearing a mask or you're contributing to the problem.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

Love these comments by the non Japanese that think the tiny bit they know about Japan makes everything they think fact.

@Monty stop hanging around Roppongi, I live in Tokyo 30+ years now in my neighbourhood all the foreigners I see are wearing masks, I am not far from Ueno, Asakusa, etc... and sure I see the odd caucasian without a mask note caucasian, because all the other foreigners mostly Asians are all wearing masks.

Those going on about conformity, or the I see Japanese not wearing masks, etc... Get off your high horses.

Take a look at the country where you are originally from and ask yourselves, which place Japan or back there are following recommendations and doing so without legal consequences if one doesn't wear a mask.

That is the big difference, the USA is a mess, Australia is again in lockdown with laws to enforce masks, much of Canada now has laws to enforce masks, same in much of Europe.

Here in Japan no law but the vast majority accept the fact a mask is required.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

KumagaijinToday  08:31 am JST

I'm not so sure the Japanese would have embraced mask wearing had it not been for SARS in 2003 and several other outbreaks in Asia over the last couple decades. 

I don't know how old you are, but wearing a mask for colds, flu, hayfever has been common at least in Japan since the 1960s if not earlier.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

I thought masks in Japan were worn since ancient times, Ive always seen them in ninja movies and videos

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Sometimes it's good to be Sheeple.

And it's bad to be an idiot all the time =)

1 ( +4 / -3 )

“The proof in the pudding. Masks work. It has been the common factor in every country with low infections rates.”

Um, New Zealand?

The jury is still out on that one

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

“It's either you're wearing a mask or you're contributing to the problem.”

What an utterly simplistic view, unfounded in fact

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

Protecting wearers from being infected and preventing them from infecting others, as suggested by the World Health Organization, was near zero,

This is the oddest part. Were both of those reasons lumped together as one?

Also, were multiple answers possible? Or only one?

I ask these questions because a lot of people I talk to say they're really scared of CATCHING the virus, and they wear masks almost all of the time. Does this mean that even if personal safety is an important secondary reason, it doesn't register in the results because there is no option for multiple answers?

You can't protect yourself from COVID by wearing non-medical, fabric masks. The WHO doesn't recommend it that way, so the survey question above is a bit misleading. Masks work to prevent transmission via droplets to your immediate neighbors. Social conformity or simply concern about others' health is significant and cost-efficient.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

You can't protect yourself from COVID by wearing non-medical, fabric masks. 

Regardless, many people wear masks precisely for this reason, and yet it’s not reflected in the survey results.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

That's strange. Everyone in Hong Kong is wearing a mask. Are they unique too?

I wish social distancing was part of the conformity too.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

Human perception is an interesting thing.

Take the "I see many foreigners or Japanese men not wearing masks" statements made here several times.

Really many?

Here is how or what really goes on .

We walk around ignoring all those wearing masks, we done even notice how many there are, then suddenly 1,2,3, maybe 4 non mask wearing people go by these we notice quickly at the same time we only see a small portion of all those around wearing masks and the brain jumps to the conclusion "wow so many not wearing masks".

This is like when my wife and I are around Ueno, she remarked that there are a lot of foreigners again perception, I look around and see that the vast majority of people are Japanese by a very large margin.

Only when I bring this to her attention does she suddenly realise that yes compared to near our house there are more foreigners but in reality there aren't that many even in Ueno compared to the number of Japanese.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Knowledge takes fear away. Never had a mask in my life. Very proud of it. Please tick negative minus

-9 ( +1 / -10 )

@Pukey2

I don't see anything in the article saying anything about Japan being unique.

And it has nothing to do with the article.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

I see a very big flaw in this (study?/poll).

It was 1000 people on line.

Now seeing the Japanese population is the oldest in the world.

I am skeptical that this online survey even came close to capturing a realistic demographic of the Japanese population.

More likely the respondents were younger the type that are more comfortable with today's technology and online activity.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

But they were supposedly selected to reflect general population distribution

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Knowledge takes fear away. Never had a mask in my life. Very proud of it.

Hahaha knowledge indeed that's a good one

I'll tell you about my friend Kyrie, to the best of his knowledge the earth is flat

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

@noriahojanen Yes same here. I would like to see how other countries scored in that regard. It would be interesting to see.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I will wear a mask to be safe than sorry.

It is good etiquette.

People who don't wear a mask stand out in Japan.

Everyone looks at you and and keeps away from you.

It is important for people to have conformity in Japanese society.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

@OssanAmerica

...few people want to stand out in a crowded supermarket looking like a selfish idiot. In contrast, in the U.S. not only do some jerks not give a damn about what people think, they'll get into fights (including shootings) with store guards telling them to wear a mask. Of course masks, which should have remained a medical issue, have been turned into a political issue making it all the more harder to achieve social acceptance.

Yeah, and I visited in December, so I saw it for myself in Japan. I live in the US, (very unfortunately for this situation especially) so I can attest to that second part of your comment as well. It’s a reason why I would love to move there in a couple of years, unfortunately, it’s quite hard to find a job right now. Not just because the COVID-19 thing, but for other reasons as well.

And even the jobs that you can find, you wanna talk about selfish idiots, I could go on and on about all the selfish idiots that I had to face. I mean it got so extreme, that I ended up having to quit a lot of those jobs mostly for medical reasons. Which made it a more frustrating, because I’ve also wanted to move there at those times as well.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Which is better, the Japanese that accept policy and not upsetting others or the western countries that for the most part have resorted to implementing laws, fines possibly even jail time for not wearing a mask?

Anyone in Japan doing these things? Running down a security guard in Costco parking for not letting him in with his wife at the same time and no mask (Canada).

Shooting someone for not letting him in the store without a mask (USA).

I will take this form of conformity over those any day.

9 ( +11 / -2 )

Next will be long lines of people getting vaccines that aren’t properly tested.

-10 ( +0 / -10 )

Many women wear masks because they are 'shy,' to hide facial blemishes and the fact that they didn't put on makeup.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Pre Covid, mask wearers here could be neatly divided into two groups; those with cold symptoms who wore them out of consideration for others, and those who wore them to protect themselves from being infected by those who refused to wear masks. Thanks to Covid, mask wearing has achieved the kind of no questions asked universality you’d associate with something like Japan’s de rigeur top over toilet tissue protocol.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

@Antiquesaver

I live in Tokyo 30+ years

Do you think you are the only one?

And according the places you mentioned, open your eyes man, and than you can see that I am correct.

I wish you are true, but my experience is completely different.

@Monty stop hanging around Roppongi,

It is always funny to see, that during my whole time here at JT, how easily people judge my personality or behavior.

The most funny was, a poster here said, I am a brainwashed redneck.

Judging me with hanging around Roppongi, is much more funny.

I like that.

3 ( +8 / -5 )

kiwi: "Interesting article. They're acting out of obligation and shame rather than care and compassion. That explains the nose exposers and the chin strappers. They feel they're doing enough to conform. No critical thought for the real reason of wearing a mask properly."

EXACTLY! And yet again today I saw some old dude sneeze full blast into his mask, pull it down from in front of his mouth, wipe his mouth with the back of his hand, the pinch the place on the mask in front of the mouth -- where the moisture from his sneeze would be -- and pulled it back up before grabbing back on to the pole between the seats on the train. But hey, he's got a mask on, so it's all good.

Antique saving: "Now seeing the Japanese population is the oldest in the world."

Well, we all knew a lot of your comments up to then were bogus to begin with, but you take the cake with this one. I bet if pointed out you could only be referring to the Ainu, even if you were correct, which you're not, you'd probably get confused because you're talking about the "Yamato Japanese", who are from China and Korea. Oops!

"This is like when my wife and I are around Ueno, she remarked that there are a lot of foreigners again perception, I look around and see that the vast majority of people are Japanese by a very large margin."

Ah, another person who thinks they know what foreigners like Koreans, Chinese, and the like look like, and like Japanese are "different and unique". You and your wife would fail a quiz on faces guaranteed.

"Take a look at the country where you are originally from and ask yourselves, which place Japan or back there are following recommendations and doing so without legal consequences if one doesn't wear a mask."

The rate in my country is not sky-rocketing as karaoke parlours, bars, pachinko, and businesses LAUGH when the Japanese authorities warn, "We're going to print your name in the media!" if they don't voluntarily close and get no assistance, saying, 'Thanks for the free advertising!'. I'll never forget when they did that for a pachinko parlour not far from where I live and the next day there were twice the people in the line as previously, and the Osaka Government could only threaten to print their name again and asked them "to please cooperate".

In short, you're comments are as full of gross generalisations and misinformation as the article. LOTS of non-foreign people don't wear masks, and most Japanese (and some foreigners alike) who wear them don't handle them properly. Accept it. It's fact. Don't get angry and reactionary to people pointing out those facts.

-12 ( +2 / -14 )

90% of the foreigners I see in Tokyo every day dont wear a mask.

Ignorrant and irresponsible!

Give the foreigner bashing a rest, @nomty.

There are plenty of Japanese folk in my neck of the woods who are choosing not to wear a mask, especially in closed confines of the stores I frequently shop at. Like zaitoizugoodo writes, my phone and cloud memory would be full of I were to take photos of such people.

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

@smithinjapan

Japan has the oldest population in the world that is a fact.

That does not mean they have the oldest people or the oldest culture it means they have the largest portion of their population that is elderly.

Yiu can look it up.

So tell us which is better the Japanese wearing masks out of conformity or like in the west out if fear of legal action, fines, jail.

Your country is not skyrocketing.

Let us know the country I would like to compare.

As far as I know Japan is far lower than most western countries that are not locking their citizens away, enforcing masks and distancing with the threat if legal action, have kept schools, businesses, parks closed or if like parks they are open they have the police patrolling to check if the people are family, live together, remain under x number of people in one place, etc...

How is your country keeping the numbers from skyrocketing, mandatory lockdown, mandatory masks, mandatory distancing, etc... Backed-up by fines and the threat of legal consequences?

My country Canada is now nearly a police state because so many refuse to wears masks and keep social distancing. Mandatory masks, mandatory distancing, social bubble rules limiting the number of people one can interact with all enforced by laws and legal action from fines to jail time.

How great the west is $11,000 dollars in fines to 5 young black boys ages 15 to 19 playing basketball in a park no where near others.

So please let us know how your country is doing things.

12 ( +14 / -2 )

@Antiquesavings

So please let us know how your country is doing things.

NZ has gone back into lockdown. A decision made to give the government a few days to take stock and make a plan.

Yes it is enforced and rightly so. The few who can't follow the rules destroy the work of the others. Their actions should be corrected. The corrective action chosen is by way of fines. Do you have a better suggestion of a corrective action?

Checks and balances are needed everywhere.

You're way off topic at the moment anyhow. The article is about how conformity is leading to Japanese people wearing masks. Here's a link to the paper. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01918/full

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

@Kiwikid

So we are to cower in our homes for how long?

I have damaged lungs from a near fatal pneumonia many years ago so understand I am in the high risk category and I understand the dangers.

But a vaccine a safe and lasting one is still not here and may never be.

In the west they are talking about 2 to 3 years with those laws, regulations,etc...

Tell us us that reasonable, can people not only economically but psychologically last that long?

Or are we supposed to revert to medieval Times during the plague and lock our Castle doors and treat the neighbouring towns, states and people like enemies.

Already in places like Canada travel between provinces is nearly impossible and those having to return home or move for work are being blocked even from their own homes.

Tell us us this the future you want?

I find it so interesting that the west is ready to lock people in their homes, mandate how they can live but will ignore the main reason Covid is dangerous and that is to those not in good health and up to now 70% of serious cases in the west are those that are obese (3 UK and several USA as well as Australia, Canadian, German studies) because obesity brings with it all the heart problems, etc... But body positive cannot do anything to force the unhealthy so lock up the rest to protect them. Makes perfect sense.

One reason Japan is not seeing the number or percentages of death like the west one only has to look at this Japan 5% obesity, Canada 30%, UK 30%, USA 40%, Australia 30%, New Zealand 30%.

Also let's look at South Korea who have even fewer deaths obesity 5%

See anything interesting in those numbers?

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

@Kiwikid

If you prefer the New Zealand locking people in their homes and that makes you feel safer then why remain in Japan and complain that Japan isn't doing enough?

I am not saying go back to your country not at all.

I am simply asking you and others if they think their countries way is better and safer then why remain here in Japan complaining about the way the Japanese are doing thing, unlike the Japanese you have the option to go where you think it is safer.

I am not complaining about how it is being handled in Japan, I don't think my country or most other western countries are doing better and I am happy and fine right here if I wasn't I would have gotten on a plane and gone back to Canada.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

When putting myself in danger I'll make a call on the day. When putting someone else in danger I will err on the side of caution.

I too, like you, hope that the treatment isn't worse than the disease. But at the moment I still have faith people can tough out lockdowns and outlast the disease.

Perhaps our viewpoints are different. I see a lockdown as a chance for people to do the right thing and help those in need. You see it as a punishment. Perspective means a lot.

Yeah as a person with a Master's in Diatetics I see a lot in those numbers. Where would you like to start? Asians genetic predisposition to negative health outcomes at lower a BMI?

Again, we're getting a bit off base.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Sorry I missed your double post. I don't think I've ever publicly criticised or complained about the Japanese response.

Better or worse. Right or wrong. That's a relatively binary thought process and I don't think those terms don't apply. Every country is doing what they think is right. Of that I'm sure. But what were talking about is people lives at the end of the day. You nor I should be discussing that in such a blasé way.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

@Kiwikid

Perhaps you are not complaining about Japan.

But your reply was to what I addressed to @smithinjapan that reading his comments seems that complaining about Japan is a regular feature.

So I again ask why do those that seem so unhappy with the way Japan does things and that keep telling us how their country does things better do they remain here.

It is one thing to use constructive criticism and another to spend most of the time complaining.

If I for one complained that much I would have left years ago back my country.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

You remember the story, "The Emperor's New Clothes" right? There is an undeniable standing belief among the Japanese population that they are special.

Many people here see a naked idiot bragging about his flash new outfit.

Except in this version of the story, even after having it pointed out that the emperor is in fact naked, no body reacts. That's frustrating to have a voice and for it to never be heard.

Here is a place their voice can be heard. And I think it all just comes out at once.

But hey, you can get annoyed by your family and still love them. It's the same with living in Japan.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

“find it so interesting that the west is ready to lock people in their homes, mandate how they can live but will ignore the main reason Covid is dangerous and that is to those not in good health and up to now 70% of serious cases in the west are those that are obese (3 UK and several USA as well as Australia, Canadian, German studies) because obesity brings with it all the heart problems, etc... But body positive cannot do anything to force the unhealthy so lock up the rest to protect them. Makes perfect sense.

One reason Japan is not seeing the number or percentages of death like the west one only has to look at this Japan 5% obesity, Canada 30%, UK 30%, USA 40%, Australia 30%, New Zealand 30%.

Also let's look at South Korea who have even fewer deaths obesity 5% 

See anything interesting in those numbers?”

Bingo

1 ( +2 / -1 )

“People who don't wear a mask stand out in Japan.”

Yes and for that reason I wear a muzzle when I absolutely must

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Who cares? As long as people have something on their face, they’re following cultural norms.

Research is inconclusive, and many medical professionals in Europe are actually not recommending them.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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