Why Do Japanese People Wear Surgical Masks?

You’ve seen them all over, especially now with the coronavirus hysteria taking over the media: Asians in surgical masks, trying to protect themselves from the infected droplets of others. But even before all of the coronavirus took over the news, wearing surgical masks around in everyday life was super common in Japan — and you may have wondered why. There are a few reasons:

Japanese People Wear Surgical Masks…

(1) to be Polite

There are a few reasons Japanese people wear surgical masks — but the main one is out of politeness: to prevent others from getting sick. Japan is widely considered the most polite country on earth, so this shouldn’t really be much of a surprise.

Because Japan is so dense, people want to limit the spread of germs as much as possible. It’s a good thing.

(2) for Fashion and Warmth

Surgical masks are also increasingly popular as fashion accessories in Tokyo — not the disposable, plain ones you buy at the drugstore, but black and printed ones made out of fabric that can be washed and re-worn. My very fashionable NYC friend also shared with me that they are becoming increasingly popular on the streets in New York, so I predict they’ll soon be coming to a runway near you. ;)

In the winter, these masks also help to keep your face warm. Warm breath = warm face.

This husband and wife were both sporting black cloth surgical masks - but whether they were wearing them for fashion or warmth, I don’t know.

(3) to Hide a Blemish

Sometimes men and women just wear these masks not because they’re sick, but because they’re having a bad skin day. I personally love this reason: why bother with makeup on zit when you can just slip on a mask and people will just assume you’re ill and being polite?

(4) to Keep from Getting Sick Themselves

Although the actual effectiveness of these masks to keep from getting sick hasn’t been proven, with the coronavirus all over the news and with a ton of visitors from China, many Japanese people are using the masks as a prophylactic measure. In fact, my new friend at the Park Hyatt Kyoto insisted on giving me some upon our departure to wear in the airport — just in case.

It’s mostly just a mental thing — scientists are iffy about the effectiveness of these masks at actually preventing one from catching a flu or other airborne virus like the coronavirus — but as my husband pointed out to me (and the doctor in this NPR article agreed), the masks do present a physical barrier to keep you from touching your nose and mouth after you’ve possibly touched an infected surface, which is the primary way people get sick anyway.

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