Emperor pays respects

Respectful.

Good man.

Masks not required!

My guess is he didn’t queue :)

I'm glad he is there paying respects to the Queen, but why does he wear a mask in Japan but not in England?

Maybe because covid is far more rampant in Japan and he has more chance of being infected?

I think England is much safer than Japan currently, regarding COVID. I never thought I'd write those words, but here in Denmark, people are definitely wary about holidays in Japan at present because of how prevalent covid is there

Masks are no longer compulsory in the UK. Personal choice to wear one.

please identify the other people in the photo

Covid B.4 and B.5 are weak strains of Covid. Nothing to warrant the ongoing restrictions here in Japan.

Must be a relief to finally not have to wear a mask!

I'm glad he is there paying respects to the Queen, but why does he wear a mask in Japan but not in England?

Maybe because covid is far more rampant in Japan and he has more chance of being infected?

In England and in the US, mask wearing is not mandatory. However in Japan, especially during the pandemic, although wearing a mask is not mandatory, it is considered selfish and rude not to wear one - one is only thinking of oneself and not others. It is the reason why majority of Japanese wear a mask when they have the colds.

I think England is much safer than Japan currently, regarding COVID. I never thought I'd write those words, but here in Denmark, people are definitely wary about holidays in Japan at present because of how prevalent covid is there

COVID spread is once again declining in Japan; the variant B.5 is a weak strain. I don't understand how you can be so sure that Europe, UK, US other countries are not in the same situation. In the aforementioned regions, no masking, no more reporting of COVID cases.... Japanese government plans to lessen tourist restrictions end of Sept/early Oct - not looking forward to it at all.

Japanese government plans to lessen tourist restrictions end of Sept/early Oct - not looking forward to it at all.

My apologies, I didn't intend to offend.

However, selfish and rude not to wear a mask in Japan? From seeing plenty of photos from Japanese homestayers here in Denmark, it seems a decent number of their friends and family aren't wearing masks back in Japan or at least wearing them correctly (ie over the nose)

Also, why you aren't looking forward to tourists coming back in? There are plenty of Japanese tourists having a great time here in Europe and also this seemed to be the case when I was in California last month. Everyone should enjoy the same freedoms no? What makes Japan so special?

Must be a relief to finally not have to wear a mask!

Maybe he doesn’t care.

He strikes me as pretty grown-up and not prone to hysterics.

My money would be on him not being that bothered.

Good onya mate, no mask, that's showing them back home.

ok.........

I imagine they have a team telling them whether it’s appropriate to mask or not. Any real mask criticism should be directed at Kishida. Keep your eye on his foreign mask-less adventures, whilst he stops tourist enter as they won’t follow the rules. Dooming many small businesses that relied on tourism. I’m sure theyll tax us all to give to large tourism firms that support the LDP later, look forward to that then.

However, selfish and rude not to wear a mask in Japan? From seeing plenty of photos from Japanese homestayers here in Denmark, it seems a decent number of their friends and family aren't wearing masks back in Japan or at least wearing them correctly (ie over the nose)

In Japan, mask-wearing was lifted outside some time ago; however, almost all people including me wear masks even outside. I feel comfortable in the sense that I'm protected from any viruses and dust. Also, quite a few Japanese feel comfortable hiding their face even half (sometimes I don't wear cosmetics and go outside...).

Also, why you aren't looking forward to tourists coming back in? There are plenty of Japanese tourists having a great time here in Europe and also this seemed to be the case when I was in California last month. Everyone should enjoy the same freedoms no? What makes Japan so special?

As a Japanese, I'm glad if tourists and international students come back to Japan and enjoy staying in Japan.

Japan needs to end the mask foolishness.

Anyhow, I was wondering why Masako-san, the prince, is not next to him?